THE
Second Nights Entertainment.
The COURT; or, The Male and
FEMALE Favourites.

BEing fully refresh'd with Sleep, I got up,
and passing away the Day in reading, I
amus'd my impatience of the Nights return,
by seeking now for Reasons from the Philo-
sophers for such Events as they never dream'd
of. At last the welcome Shades of Night be-
gan to spread over the Hemisphere, and a uni-
versal Silence in a few Hours succeeded, when
having dismiss'd my Servant, and fasten'd my
Chamber-Door, I set all my Gold at Liberty
on my little Table, and threw my self into my
Bed in my Night-Gown for my more easie
Conversation with my Golden Discoverer of
Secrets, that I was extreamly desirous of ha-
ving a perfect Account of.

I had not lain long, but I heard first one, and
afterwards three other pieces began to talk;
the Adventure was so surprizing, that I re-
solv'd not to interrupt their Conversation, but
to listen to their Discourse, whence I might per-

haps

The Male and Female Favourites.39

haps learn some things that one might conceal.
But it was not long before I was oblig'd to
interpose my Authority for the preservation
of the Peace. For there was a Guinea, a Spa-
nish Pistole, a Roman Crown, and my little Louis
d'Ore engag'd in a deep dispute, in which, as
the Terms went very high, so neither would
yield to the other the preheminence, or even
allow an Equality of Merit either in War or
Peace.

But the most positive in this, was my little
Louis d'Ore, who made extravagant Encomi-
ums on those many Advantages that France
has over all other Nations; the Politeness of
its Natives, and the Valour and Conduct of
its King. This made me imagine, that my
little piece had been conversant with Mons.
Boileau, and heard what he had wrote of the
Life of Lewis with all the exquisite Art of Flat-
tery; and indeed I could not but ask him if
he had not been admitted to his Counsel? No
(said he) but I should be the most ingrateful of
all things, if I paid not the same deference to
Lewis le Grand, which he pays to us.

As he was resuming the praise of the grand
Monarch, he was interrupted by the Spanish Pi-
stole, and with that Air of Haughtiness which
is so natural to the Spaniard, said, that all other
Nations were but the sweepings of the Spanish
Monarchy; the supream Lord of which was
design'd by Nature for the Empire of the
World, and having already the Title of most
Catholic.

D 4A

40The Golden Spy.

A bare Name and empty Title, interrup-
ted the Roman Crown, is of little importance
without something more substantial to sup-
port it. But you must all own (continu'd he)
that all Nations submit to ours, for what we
held in the Time of the old Romans by the
Sword, we now maintain by the Power of the
Keys; the greatest Kings and Princes of Eu-
rope still paying their Duty to Rome.

Not so fast, (said the Guinea) that time is
now past, for Kings are no longer the Bubbles
of the Pope; and since the days of our good
King Henry, his Holiness has been taught,
that the Subjection of other Princes is very
precarious. But if conscious Worth may
have leave to boast, what Nation can compare
with the English, who are not content to be rich
and free themselves when almost all the
World is in slavery, but extend their Power
to the Relief of the distress'd on the Conti-
nent; shewing themselves as dreadful to the
Enemy by Land, as on the Seas, which is their
proper Dominion; and tho' it be a little
World of it self, yet it is able to strike a Terror
by the force of its Arms and the Valour of its
Natives, into the greater.

You have all spoke very well (said I) on
the Excellence of the several Nations whose
Arms you bear, let us therefore adjourn this de-
bate, and proceed to a discovery of those Se-
crets of the Court, and the Camp, which I
have been promis'd by my little Louis d'Ore.

All agreed to the Subject, but none agreed
to yield the preference to any other in begin-
ning

The Male and Female Favourites.41

ning of his Account; but the matter coming
naturally before me as Master of them all, I
soon gave it to the Roman Crown, as being much
the greatest Stranger in the parts; and it be-
ing now the Mode of being fond of e'ry thing
that comes from Italy, even to their most ri-
diculous Follies and most abandon'd Vices, I
was willing to be in the Fashion.

The Italian more full of himself than the
Favour which he look'd on as his due from Tra-
montani, began in this Haughty Air.

I am not surpriz'd that the other Pieces,
who disown the Grandeur of holy Rome, should
contend with me for Preference; but I am ve-
ry much scandaliz'd at the Catholic Gold for
so impious an Usurpation, especially the Louis
Son of the Church, and its present defender a-
gainst all its Opposers. Nay, 'tis a fort of In-
gratitude not very common, since had it not
been for Cardinal Mazarine, an Italian, there
had been no such thing as either Lewis le Grand
or Louis d'Ore in Rerum Natura.

The Monsieur could not forbear blushing
at the Reflection, but told him that Mazarine
convey'd vast Sums of French Gold into Italy,
but never any thence to France. That is not
the Question, reply'd the Italian, my Assertion
is, that France ow'd its brightest Lewis to Italy,
that is, to the Manhood and the Instructions
of Cardinal Mazarine.

I

42The Golden Spy.

I was apprehensive of the ill Consequences
of Recflectins so severe, I therefore by my
Authority bid the Italian proceed while the
rest waited their Turns.

Before I come to the extraordinary Actions
and Adventures of the Courtiers and Favou-
rites of the Court of Rome, where I have been
conversant (for Gold is more brought to Rome,
than from thence) I must say a word or two
of a Court in general, in which I shall show
the Excellence of that Life above all others,
the necessary Qualities of a Courtier, and the
prudent Maxims by which the skilful move
in that slippery Sphere.

I have been in the hands of many besides
Courtiers, and therefore I am acquainted with
the Common-places of those, who have not
been able to arrive at the Happiness they rail
at; they tell you, exeat Aula qui volet esse pius,
He that would be pious, let him avoid the Court;
but no Body has said let him avoid the Court
who would be great, rich, and happy. Now
which is the most valuable State let the majo-
rity of Mankind determine; the pious are few
and miserable, their opinion therefore is of small
weight with the many who aim at Wealth and
Grandeur. The desire of Happiness is natural
to all Men, and the surest means of attaining
that can never be justly condemn'd. The Spe-
culative Notions of vain Philosophers, who ne-
ver so far believed their own Precepts as to put
them in Practice, may serve to lard the Dis-
courses and Harangues of those poor Wretches
who want Genius and Power to raise them-

selves

The Male and Female Favourites.43

selves above the Vulgar. But Men of Spirit
will rather pursue a Substance which in her
Enjoyment yields them all, they can desire in
this World.

Virgil distinguishing the Greatness of the
Romans from other Nations, says,

Excudent alli spirantia mollius Æra
Credo equidem, vivos ducent de marmore vultus,
Orabunt causas meliús, caeæliq; Meatus
Describent Radio, & surgentia Sydera dicent:
Tu regere Imperio Populos Romane, memento
He tibi erant Artes, &c. — Virg. 1. 6.
on was to be able to know the Art of Govern-
ment. Now 'tis evident, that this Art is on-
ly known to the Courtiers of every Country;
the state therefore of a Courtier is the most ex-
cellent of any, even by the Confession of a
Poet; a Creature incapable, by a natural diffi-
dence and neglect of Industry, of attaining
that Happiness.

Besides, vulgar Minds are always in pain by
Tortures of their own creating; or at least that
smell so strong of the Nursery, that a Boy of
Sense would be asham'd of them; these are
Terrors of Conscience, the Vanity of Immor-
tality, as if the Soul were to be carry'd from
the Body to feel Torments unspeakable, for
following the dictates of Nature in a higher
degree than others; as if an Immaterial Being
could be sensible of material Punishments, or
that it were a Crime to obey the Soveraign

Law

44The Golden Spy.

Law of Self-preservation, by the Directions of
that self love, which is founded on Reason, and
implanted in all Mankind in a greater or less de-
gree of Perfection. But a Courtier is free from
all those Bugbears of the Priests, they act by a
Spirit so much above the Vulgar, that they have
nothing common with them. Not but they
have some Appearances that hold a sort of like-
ness to what the Vulgar call Virtues. For Friend-
ship they have Complaisance, Assurances, and
mighty Professions, by which if any one be de-
ceiv'd, it is the fault of his own Ignorance or
Pride; Ignorance, in not knowing that this is on-
ly Mode, on which no Man ought to look with a
serious and credulous Eye; Pride in fancying him-
self an Exception to the only general Rule that
has none. For Fidelity they have Self-Interest,
a much surer Tye than the Airy Notions of Ho-
nour and Probity; for as long as it is their In-
terest to be true to Prince or Acquaintance, so
long is their Fidelity to be depended upon, and
no longer; It is therefore the Duty of the Prince,
and Acquaintance, in regard to themselves never
to truf or imploy those whose Interest they can-
not make to be true and faithful.

For Religion they have sometimes Hypocrisie,
that is,where it may be prejudical to their late-
reft to confess the Atheist, and there their Parts
are so fine, and their Address so admirable, as to
impose on the Credulous the very Works of In-
fidelity, for the Effecs of Grace, and so while
they play the Devil, pass for Saints. Instead of
that foolish Principle of forgiving your Enemies,

those

The Male and Female Favourites.45

those who are resolv'd to thrive, hold it for a
Maxim never to be dispens'd with, that the least
Opposition to their Aims is never to be forgi-
ven, but reveng'd to the last degree: this makes
them tremble, and all others afraid to engage
them, want of Success in the Attempt being cer-
tain Ruin. There have indeed been some Fools
in Post, who have believ'd it the best way to
take away Opposers by Obligations; but they
are but woful Politicians, not to know that most
Men are more influenc'd by Fear than Grati-
tude, or a sense of Merit.

What some have argu'd about a Prince, some
good Statsmen hold will reach his Ministers, and
so by degrees all his Court; and that is, whether
it is safe in these great Posts to be lov'd or fear'd?
both indeed seem very necessary, but since it is
a matter of great difficulty to know the Advan-
tage of both, it is safer to be fear'd than lov'd;
for we may with justice affirm of Men in gene-
ral, That they are Ingrateful, Inconstant, Dis
semblers, Fearful of Dangers, Coveteous of Gain:
While those to whom they are oblig'd are Pros-
perous, and out of all Danger, all are observant
of them, assiduous, offering to sacrifice their
Lives and Fortunes, and Children for their Ser-
vice; but as soon as ever Evil Fortune shows her
Face, and frowns on their Benefactor, they all
fly away, as from Infection and Ruin, and al-
most forswear they ever knew the hopeless Vi-
ctim, so little will they own their Obligations.
Besides, Men make less scruple of offending those
who aim to be belov'd, than those who endea-
vour to be fear'd. For Love is constrain'd into

some

46The Golden Spy.

some Law of Duty; but Mankind being infected
with all manner of Dishonesty, makes no Scru-
ple of breaking that Law on the very slightest
occasion of gratifying his own Profit or Interest.

But on the contrary, Fear is retain'd in its De-
ference by placing perpetually before its Eye
the Image of the Punishment certain, and im-
pending over its Head: yet is there a Medium in
this too, both for Prince and Ministers, that this
point be not push'd so far as not only not to con-
ciliate Love, but also procure Hatred; for it is
not inconsistent that a Man should be at the
same time fear'd, and yet not hated. That is,
the Executions must be few and seldom.

This being thus pretty well prov'd, it will be
no wonder that the most compleat Statesmen
have their Bravo's, their Instruments of Fate to
Poison, Stab, or Suffocate whom ever they please,
and that stand in the way of their Pride, Lust or
Ambition. These things may seern strange to
you, Sir, who have not been conversant with
Courts; but you must all know and consider
that Books especially have fram'd a sort of Men
who never in Reality existed in the World, that
is Men of Virtue and Honour, Probity, Sincerity,
without Self-Interest, and the like. For it is
certain that the manner of Mens living is so ve-
ry diferent from what the Moral Rules pre-
scrib'd for the Model of their Lives, that who-
ever should neglect what is done to pursue what
ought to be done, pulls on himself a certain Ruin
instead of consulting his own Interest and Happi-
ness, which is a Sin against himself, and by Con-
sequence a Sin against Nature; for, for any Man to

be

The Male and Female Favourites.47

be an Honest Man among such a number that
are Dishonest, must find himself in great danger
of Perdition. 'Tis therefore, a necessary Max-
im for Princes and Courtiers to consider how
they may be in the number of the later, and turn
it to their own Advantage. It may be said that
it is to be wish'd, that all those virtuous Chy-
mera's made by Speculation were in Courts; but
since those are not to be had, nor maintain'd a-
gainst the very Grain of Humane Life, that Pru-
dence supplies all their Places, which can so far
disguise their Vices as to avoid their Infamy, and
secure their Interest. For it is a great Accom-
plishment, nay, perhaps the very supream Per-
fection of a Courtier, to know how to put on such
Shapes as may be conducive to his Interest. For
Men are generally so simple and so obsequious of
their present Necessities, that whoever is a Ma-
ster in the Art of Dissembling, will soon find a
Bubble, who will surrender himself to be deceiv'd
by him.

I shall only name Alexander the sixth Pope
of Rome, in whose Custody I was all his Pope-
dom. He was all Impostor, and apply'd his whole
Study and Exercise in all the Arts of Fraud and
Malice, by which he might deceive all, with
whom he had to do; nor was he disappointed in
finding Subject matter enough to work on. No
Man was ever more officious in his Asseverati-
ons; nor had any one ever a more specious and
plausible way of taking a solemn Oath; nor
did ever Nature produce a Man that ever per-
form'd less of either yet all his Deceit still turn'd
to his Account, in bringing him that Success

which

48The Golden Spy.

which he always propos'd; for he was perfectly
Master of the Manners and Nature of Man-
kind, and of the Art of Deceiving.

There's still a greater reason for all of my kind
to speak well of Courts, since there is still the
Golden Age. Gold governs there with an abso-
lute sway, and with that you may compass
whatever you desire, and by your Address and
Management there, you may obtain that Gold
which obtains all things; nay, it is remarkable,
that whereas in all other stations of Life you get
Wealth by Labour, and Exchange of one Com-
modity for another, here you sell nothing but
Words for it, or Trusts, or Dignities, or other
Titles, which tho' of little value in their own
nature, yet have such advantageous Perquisits
annext to them, that they are very well worth
the Purchase. In Traffic or Trade you deal with
a few, and in Things that are inanimate; but at
Court you deal in Mankind, you sell and buy
Nations, and make the People your Property,
while their Seed-time and Harvest flow all
into your Pocket. 'Tis true, all have not an
equal share of the Crop, yet things are generally
so manag'd, that few but find it worth their
while, and chuse rather to be a Door-keeper
there, than a Major Duomo elsewhere.

Not to detain you longer in generals, I shall
give you one instance of the amazing things
done by a Lady in Power in the Court of Rome,
who wanting the Prudence of a Man, let her
Desires aim too far, and by robbing all, made
every one her Enemy: Whereas if she had set
any Bounds to her Avarice, she might have had

Power

The Story of Donna OLYMPIA.49

Power and Wealth with security. For if
any Favourite be so wholly devoted to Cove-
teousness, to have no regard to any thing, he
only heaps Riches together to set other suc-
ceeding Favourites to employ their Power to
ravish from them those enormous heaps from
which their ill Conduct has banish'd all Defen-
ders. For a Courtier minds not whom he
plunders, and he that is likely to yield the
lowest Spoil, is the most likely to be made a Sa-
crifice to others.
The History Of Donna Olympia, Sister -

in-law and Favourite of Pope Innocent
the Xth.
IN the time of Innocent the Xth, I was
part of the Chain which Donna Olympia
wore when she was yet under the Circum-
stances of no extraordinary Fortune, and was
therefore hung up in her Closet when she got
Jewels more rich in her Administration of
the Popedom. By which means I became a
Witness of many of her secret Intrigues of
State and Amour. She was of the Family of
Maldachini, that made but a little Figure in
Rome, till she rais'd it by her Interest in the
Pope. She was marry'd young, and disco-
cover'd from her Childhood an Ambition of
Rule, in her Childish Plays always giving
Laws to her Play-fellows. Being come to Age
of Marriage, she refusing to turn Nun, was
marry'd to Signior Pamphilio, Brother to Gio-

Evanni

50The Golden Spy.

vanni Baptista Pamphilio, who was afterwards
Pope Innocent the Xth. By him having had se-
veral Daughters and but one Son, her Affecti-
ons grew weak to her Husband, but strong to
his Brother the Abbot, afterwards Bishop,
and Cardinal, and Pope; for the Husband
would maintain his Prerogative as Master, ne-
ver consulting her in any of his Affairs, but

the Brother never did any thing without her
Advice, which made him in her Eye seem beau-
tiful and charming, tho' the most forbidding
and ugly of any Man breathing; and her Hus-
band disgustful and loathsom, tho' a Man of
tolerable Appearance. She oftner went in
the Brothers than Husbands Coach, and was
more often with him in the Closet, than her
Husband in Bed; so that he frequently could
not tell where to find either Brother or Wife,
they being perpetually together.

Nor can this appear so extraordinary, if
you do but consider that most of the Prelates
of Rome oblige the ambitious Ladies, by ad-
mitting them into their Council, and follow-
ing their Direcions in the most holy and im-
portant Affairs. But the Abbot Pamphilio be-
ing too sensible of his forbidding Face, could
not be very engaging with a Lady of so ma-
ny fine Qualifications as to Shape and Person
as Donna Olympia, presented her with a Charm
more powerful than Youth or Beauty, the
entire disposal of his Will.

Perhaps it will not be ingrateful to you to
give you a stretch of the Character of the Na-
ture of this Lady, before Igive you an Account

of

The Story of Donna OLYMPIA.51

of her Story, and show her in that Power
which was so formidable to Rome, and had
like to have been so fatal to her self at the last.
In the Company of the Ladies she spoke lit-
tle, but she abundantly retriev'd that Tacitur-
nity by her Loquaciousness among the Men.
She us'd to say, that she had not Words enough
to throw away on that Sex, from which she
could learn nothing of Consequence or Value.
Among the Men, her Discourses were always
supported by Reasons of State, and embellish'd
frequently with some Maxim or Sentence.
Her Memory was so happy, that by reading
or hearing any thing once over, she would ne-
ver forget it. She could not submit to the
Opinion of another, without doing her
Temper the last violence, desiring rather to pe-
rish with her own Opinion, than live and pros-
per by the Advice of another. She was co-
vetous to a degree, so abandon'd, that she
could not endure to hear any body so much as
talk of or mention the Bounty of others; nay,
she made a Virtue of her Vice, by this Maxim,
that Women were made to gather together, and not
to disperse. She often chang'd her Servants,
that they might not by long continuance with
her grow too familiar with her Conduct; she
seldom went to the Balls, Feasts and Enter-
tainments of the Roman Ladies, that she might
not be oblig'd to make the like. The Often-
tation of her Charity to the Poor Religious,
got her some Reputation of Devotion, tho' the
meer effect of Vain-glory, never doing any
Charity that had not first been carry'd round

E 2the

52The Golden Spy.

the Palace in Procession in the Eyes of the Peo-
ple; but even those she laid aside as soon as she
was got into the Vaitican. She gave her Son
no Education, so that he could scarce read at
Twenty, left Learning should rouse his Spi-
rits, and make him interfere with her in the
management of the House of Pamphilio. Her
Table was penurious, and yet she made her
Steward bring in his Accounts every day to a
farthing. She was prodigal of Compliments,
and gave larger Promises than any one could
desire of her, being admirably dexterous at
evading all she had so promis'd, with Excuses
adapted to the Person and Circumitance of
the matter.

The Abbot Pamphilio is now made a Cardi-
nal, and all his Favours dispens'd by Donna
Olympia, who first taught him the Art of Dissi
mulation, tho' it be as ancient as principal Cu-
stom of the Court of Rome. Toward the later
end of Urban VIII, she thought every moment
an Age, since from a calculation of his Nativi-
ty she found he would arrive at the highest
Dignity of the Church in the 70th Year of his
age: when Urban dy'd, and the Cardinals were
going into the Conclave, she took leave of her
Brother-in-law thus; Perhaps I shall shortly see
you Pope, but never more Cardinal. Were you but

Popess, replied he, I would willingtly relinquish my
Claim. Being contrary to expectation chose,
she threw open the Gates of her Brother-in-
law's Palace, to be rifled by the People, with a
great deal of seeming satisfaction, having first
secur'd the best and moss valuable of the Goods,

tho'

The Story of Donna OLYMPIA.53

tho' she had said but a few days before, That on
condition her Brother-in-law were chose Pope, she
would not only sacrifice the Palace, but her self, to
the People.

So known a Favourite soon drew all the Vi-
sists, and all the Addresses of ever Pretender,
to Donna Olympia; and the first thing she pro-
cur'd at Court, was the Ruin of the Barbarini,
Favourites of the former Pope, getting their
Abbeys and other Revenues into her own pos-
-session, imprudently shewing an Example how
she should be us'd her self on the decease of the
present Pope her Protector; for she exceeded
all the Barbarini had done, and dispos'd of all
the Court Affairs, public and private: And to
secure 'em the better, she got her Son Camillo
made a Cardinal, and (as first Nephew to the
Pope) declar'd Cardinal Patron, not out of Af-
fection to him as her Son, but to wrest the ma-
nagement of Affairs out of the hands of Panci-
rollo, and put 'em where she should naturally
dispose and direct 'em at her pleasure.
The Amours of Camillo and the Princess

of Rostana.
CAmillo was a very young Man, as much
unqualified for, as little desirous of the
Dignity; he had a Soul more inclin'd to affairs
of Love than affairs of State; his Heart was
already on fire, by the Beauty and Perfections
of the young Princess of Rossana, whose Hus-
band being old, was not thought so agreeable

to her Inclination as a Prince so young as Ca-

E 3millo,

54The Golden Spy.

millo, and whose near Relation to the Pope
gave a Prospect of all that a moderate Ambi,
tion could desire.

The Prince of Rostana, besides his Age, was
more infirm by an old Paralitick Distemper,
which had some time confin'd him to his Bed:
He was very fond of his young Wife, and she
very complaisant to him, and being Mistress
of a Roman Dissimulation, disguis'd her Disgust
so artfully, that it pass'd with him for a sincere
Tenderness. She never stirr'd from him but
when she went to Church, where Camillo was
always ready to receive her; so dividing her
hours of liberty betwixt Heaven and Love, she
always return'd home in so short a time, that
the old Prince could have no suspicion of any
other cause of her absence than Devotion.

But these frequent meetings had made Love
spread his Empire in both their Hearts, Camil-
lo's Person was extreamly charming, but his
ignorant Education denied him those few Qua-
lities of Mind that are more valuable. The
Princess, besides a beautiful Person, was Mi-
stress of a sprightly Wit, and a Spirit equal at
least to the degree of her Dignity.

The old Prince proving worse, she was more
confin'd, till at last she could not stir out at all;
and her Prudence had strictly enjoin'd him to
send her no Letters, not doubting but the old
Prince's Death would soon set her at liberty to
do what she pleas'd.

While she was thus confin'd, and Camillo in
pain for an Absence he could only support by
the hopes that it would be ended soon, by ha-

ving

The Story of Donna OLYMPIA.55

ving her in his Arms as his own, his Mother's
Ambition interfer'd with his Passion, and, un-
known to him, has him assum'd to the Scarlet
Robe and Hat, and declar'd first Nephew and
Cardinal Patron. This made so much noise in
Rome, that the Princess of Rostana could not
long remain ignorant of a Change so fatal to
her Repose; the Rage and Fears it gave her
were beyond expression, but had the good for-
tune to be happily cancel'd by the Death of
her Husband, so that they were all taken for
Offerings to his Monument, where she soon
after plac'd him in a magnificent manner, he
having added all his to her vast Fortune.

Notwithstanding her green Widowhood,
she could not refrain upbraiding the new Car-
dinal with his Fickleness and Infidelity, where-
fore by a Confidant she sends him this Letter:
THo' Contempt is more your due than Anger, yet
I can't but let you know my Resentments; the
form would have me defer my declaring them till the
Prince has been longer in his Grave, yet Anger can-
not listen to the cold remonstrances of cautious For-
mality. You Men are strange unaccountable Ani-
mals: I pray what did you propose to your self by
amusing me with your Vows of Affection, when you
had none, nay, when you design'dto disclaim all
manner of honourable Pretensions, by preferring Am-
bition to Love? Did you think me such a Trifle,
that you might abuse my Credulity without any Pu-
nishment, because I'm a weak Woman, you a Pope's
Nephew, and exalted to the sacred Purple? Mistake
not your self or me, you are not above resentment,

56The Golden Spy.

nor I unable to revenge. I confess, I would willing-
ly hear what you have to say, before I utterly con-
demn you. Farewell.

He soon return'd her this Answer, not a lit-
tle pleas'd that she was now a Widow, and at
liberty to dispose of her self according to her
Inclinations.

My charming Princess,
THo' I dread your Anger more than that of all
the Powers on Earth, yet at this time I had
much rather cause your Anger to write, than that
your Indifference should keep you silent: There is a
Charm in your dear Anger, that makes me see I am
not indifferent to the most beautiful Princess in the
World. Believe not, Madam, that I think my self
out of the reach of your Revenge, if I could be vo-
luntarily guilty of any thing, that could justly pro-
voke your Indignation; for, Madam, you'll alwaies
have it in your power to punish me, because you'll ever
be able to make me miserable with a Frown; but I
beg you to suspend your Anger till I am able to con-
vince you by an Interview, where I may tell you what
is not so convenient to commit to Paper. Appoint
your Time, and I will commit my self to you, to pu-
enish or absolve as you shall find me guilty or inno-

cent. Adieu.

The Princess was not a little appeas'd with
this Letter from Cardinal Camillo, and took
care to appoint him to come the next Evening
after it was dark to her Palace, where she or-
der'd all things for his private reception. The

Room

The Story of Donna OLYMPIA.57

Room she receiv'd him in was all hung with
black, and illuminated with some few white
Wax Tapers, where she attended him on a
mourning Couch, in a dejected posture, from
which she arose as he came near her, in a very
humble and submissive manner: Ha! my Lord,
said she, is this the Habit of a Lover? My adora-
ble Princess, (replied he, kneeling down and
taking hold of her Hand, on which he fix'd a
thousand burning Kisses) this is not indeed the
Habit of a Lover worthy you, but of' an unhappy
Creature made a Victim to the Ambition of' a cruel
Mother, who has no regard to the tender Sentiments
of an amorous Soul. Ambition and Avarice take
up all her Thoughts, and Nature gives her no con-
sideration for my Youth; Inclinations abhorrent of
the Dignities to which she has (against my will) com-
pel'd me to wrest from the hands of Pancirollo, the
managing of all Affairs. But (interrupted the
Princess) must we now put an end to all your Vows,
and cancel all those Assurances you have given me
of a Faith inviolable? Must all be sacrific'd to a
Mother? That will indeed be a Proof of your Obe-
dience, but how 'agreeable to your Honour, I leave
to your self. Alas, Madam, replied Camillo, if
you can yet credit a Man you have but too much rea-
son not to believe, since any thing could make him
take a step that was not answerable to that Love
which you have inspir'd yet believe me, I will have
no regard to her Impositions; I am not yet bound in
Priests Orders, I can but throw up all these foreign
Dignities, and lay aside the Purple, these Trappings
of proud Titles, if you would but receive me into
your Favour, which I confess I have forfeited. As-

sure

58The Golden Spy.

sure your self, Madam, that it lies wholly in you to
direct my Actions, and I am either Camillo your
Adorer and Husband, or else the wretched Cardi-
nal Patron, whom all his Power can afford no satis-
faction, while it gives you any Pain, and deprives
me of all that can make me easie. Can you forgive
me? Can yout receive me again into Favour? Can
you give me any Hopes, that I shall not alwaies sigh
in vain, but be at last permitted to call you mine,
without fear of Separation? Speak, my Goddess,
on you only my Fate depends; you alone can make
me happy or miserable.

After a little pause, with her Face cover'd
with Blushes, at last she made this Reply. If
you, my Lord, can quit this Grandeur for my sake,
I cannot be so ungrateful as to distrust the sincerity
of your Prosessions; and as I then should with rea-
son believe that you lov'd me above all things, so I
do not find any Disposition to make you a Return un-
suitable to your Deserts. Do therefore as your Love
prompts you, keep not my Heart in suspence, nor
urge me by Dissimulation to betray my innocent Sen-
timents, so as to yield you matter of Triumph, and
me of Disgrace; for as I cannot resist your Ten-
derness, so I will not bear your Neglect.
This Conversation ended with mutual Assu-
rances of inviolable Love; and a convenient
time for the decency of Widowhood being
now over, Camillo lays aside the Purple, to the
surprize of all Rome, the joy of the Princess,
and the indignation of the Pope and Donna O-
lympia, when his Marriage to the Princess fol-
low'd very near his renunciation of the Cardi-
nal's Cap. The Pope and his Mother, after a

long

The Story of Donna OLYMPIA.59

long debate, resolve to banish both Camillo and
the Princess, Donna Olympia fearing the Wit
and Beauty of the Princess would win so on
the amorous Heart of the old Pope, as to be a
dangerous Rival of her Ambition; making no
manner of doubt, but that the Pope would be
better pleas'd to have to do with a young
Niece, than an old Sister-in-law.

This Resolution being taken, Donna Olym-
pia sends for her Son, and in her Closet accu-
ses him of Folly and Undutifulness, where he
gave her a full account of all the Progress of
his Love, as I have told you, and beg'd her
mediation with the Pope, to forgive his follow-
ing the Dictates of his Passion, since it had di-
rected him not only to one of the finest and
most accomplish'd Ladies of Rome, but also one
of the greatest Fortunes. But Reason and Na-
ture were of little force with a Mother to her
only Son; for, redoubling her Reproaches, she
bid him be gone and never see her more, but
retire to his sloathful Grotto's with his fineWife,
and leave the World to be manag'd by those of
greater Genius: So she flew out of the Closet,
and left him to reflect on his Fate.

But Donna Olympia return'd to the Vatican,
and set her self entirely to make the best of
her Market, and to ingross all she could scrape
together, either by Raillery, Extortion, or Op-
pression. She reduces the Pope's domestic Ex-
pences, that she might pocket all she could;
no Judge Criminal was made, but by her re-
commendation, to whom she gave inhunman
Instructions to gratifie her Avarice, ordering
them

60The Golden Spy.

them to regard not the Blood, but the Purse
of the Guilty, commonly sending to 'em for the
Redemptions, pretending she would lay 'em
out for the benefit of the Poor; so that the
Judges aiming to make some advantage to
themselves of their Posts, brought Extortion
and Oppression to its utmost extent. In fine,
whatever Office at Court fell, Donna Olympia
dispos'd of it; the Officers of the Datory were
to keep those in suspence who pretended to Ec-
clesiastical Benefices, till she had fully inform'd
her self of their value; and those who offer'd
most, without any consideration of Capacity
or Desert, were made Bishops, Abbots, &c. but
they must first bring the full value of the Place,
her rates being, that an Office of 1000 Crowns
a Year, that lasted but three, should pay her
one Years Income; if six Years, double; and
so in proportion: but if it were an Office for
Life, she would not blush to ask the Moiety of
the Revenue for the first twelve Years: Some
Bishopricks lay vacant more than five Years
together, (she receiving the Profits all the
while) because she could not meet with a Chap
that would come up to her rate.

An Abbot of Naples to raise 2000 Crowns
for Donna Olympia for a Bishoprick in her
Gift, persuaded his Brothers to joyn in selling
all the Paternal Estate; which, with all their
Credit, could just come up to the Purchase;
but the Abbot dy'd before he was well set-
tled in his Seat, which by that means return'd
to Donna Olympia, and she soon sold it again

for

The Story of Donna OLYMPIA.61

for the same sum, while the Abbots foolish Fa-
mily was ruin'd by his Ambition.

The fair Princess her Daughter-in-law had
by this time a lusty Boy, but her Malice gave
out to the Pope and many others, that Don
Camillo was incapable of Generation, and that
the Princess must have found some more sub-
stantial help to impregnate her. This was
believ'd by the Pope, because she said it, but it
did not influence Camillo to a Jealousie he was
otherwise apt enough to entertain, but in pique
of honour it reviv'd his now languishing Love,
and made his Princess have a short cessation
of those ill Humours which Possession had suf-
fer'd at last to appear. Tho' the gain'd nother
point in embroiling the Happiness of so near
a Relation, she pursu'd that of her Avarice so
impetuously, that the Prisons were full of In-
nocent Persons, and the Streets of the Guilty,
these preventing their Confinement by a Bribe,
and those constrain'd to remain in Custody till
they could purchase their Enlargements.

But there was a Roman Gentleman, confi-
dent of his own Integrity, swore that Donna
Olympia should never touch a farthing of his
Money; and to secure this, took his Son from
a Clerk's Office, which he was in, lest he
should be oblig'd to make any Petition to her:
But all in vain, Donna Olympia was not so ea-
sily to be avoided, for she hearing his Resolu-
tion, soon drew him into her Net. She or-
der'd a Shirro to pick a Quarrel with him, and
give him opprobious Language, which the
Gentleman being unable to bear, corrected

him

62The Golden Spy.

him with a Box or two on the Ear. He was
upon this seiz'd, carry'd to Prison, and con-
demn'd to dye for contempt, and striking a
public Minister; so that to save his Life, he
was oblig'd to present Donna Olympia with a
Purse, and pay a considerable Sum into the
Exchequer.

You may perhaps wonder, Sir, at a Woman
past threescore years of Age toiling night and
day, without allowing her self any Rest, when
she could not make use of what she had alrea-
dy attain'd. But, Sir, if you measure the
Conduct of Courtiers and Favourites by com-
mon Sense and Reason, you would make them
mad People. But they have a Pleasure pecu-
liar to themselves; for great Power and great
Riches are things that yield more Pleasure
and Satisfaction than the rest of the World
imagine. What tho' the People were so pro-
vok'd by her Thirst of Gold, that when they
saw her Coach pass by, they came up rudely
to't, and call'd her Whore, and were so rude,
that she was fain to make her Escape to a Mo-
nastry, and so to the Palace, and have his Holi-
ness to qualify their Indignation with a Daub
of a quantity of Bread. Nor did she mind
the scurrilious Ballads sung of her about the
Streets all the Nights; those disagreeable
Thoughts being lost in her Power, since there
was no talk in the Palace but of Donna Olympia;
Donna Olympia here, Donna Olympia there, all
Letters were deliver'd to Donna Olympia;
Memorials were no longer given to the Pope,
but to Donna Olympia. Presents were daily

mount-

The Story of Donna OLYMPIA.63

mounting the Stairs of the Vatican, whence
none ever return'd. These Glories made
Donna Olympia an ample amends for the hate
of the People. In short, she got in the Ten
Days before Pope Innocent dy'd, half a Million
of Money; e'ery one making hast to purchase
while yet Donna Olympia could sell. Among
the rest, there was a Canon who had made a-
bove an hundred Applications for a Bishoprick
in vain, proffering Donna Olympia but 5000
Crowns, whereas she demanded eights, and
tho' he advanc'd to 6000, she would by no
means abate the two thousand, till now the
Pope was dying, she sent for him to come to
her, and ask'd him if yet he continu'd in the
same mind, but finding him a little cool in
the matter, assuring her, that through a vio-
lent Temptation of the Flesh he had spent
two thousand on a fair Lady for the Favours
she had granted him. Well, well, (said Donna
Olympia) then you have four thousand left, make
haste and bring them to me, that you may not
lose what I have thus long kept for you, for
I would not lose the Satisfaction of having
presented so worthy a Man to the Bishoprick,
while the Church wants such able Pastors as
you. Thus he was declar'd Bp. the minute
he gave into Donna Olympia's hands the 4000
Crowns.

The Pope dying, after three months con-
test Alexander the VIIth was chose, he began to
prosecute her on millions of Complaints, but
the Plague interrupted the Cause, by carry-
ing off Donna Olympia at Orvietto.

Here

64The Golden Spy.

Here my little Roman Piece made a stop,
and I express'd my Satisfaction at an Accouit,
which contain'd so odd a Story as that of Olym-
pia, valuing my self on my own Happiness of
being no Subject where such arbitrary doings
might take place.

Your Roman Courtiers (began the Louis d'Or)
is something different from any of France,
you have nothing in chace there but Money
and Power; we have often more gay Pursuits;
at least we mingle a Gallant Air with our se-
verest Politics. Mons. Fouquet was a very
great Favourite, and Intendant of the Finan-
ces; he had Ambition enough, and made use
of the Happiness of having his Master's Ear
to the Advancement of many of his Creatures.
For it is natural for all Ministers of State and
Favourites to place their Friends and Crea-
tures about the Prince, because they are Spies
on their Enemies, and fortify their own Inte-
rests. It is true, that it is dangerous for a Prince
to have the Creatures of any one Favourite
only about him, they looking more on the In-
terest of him that immediately rais'd them,
than the Service of the Prince, who was but
the distant Cause of their Advancement; they
only serve for Watchmen about the Soveraign,
casting Nets, Chains and invisible Hands up-
on him, shutting up his Prince by this means.
This Method gave Mons. Fouquet security in
all the Extravagance of his Amours. There
was no Lady at Court, that had any share of
Charms, but he felt a Tendre for her; nor any

one

Mons. FOUCQUET’s Amours.65

one whom he fancied, but he attempted; nor
attempted any one, but he conquer'd: Not by
the Beauty or Comliness of his Person, for that
was very disagreable; nor by the Vigor of his
Youth, or Fineness of his Address, for he was
above fifty, and unhappy in a very Unharmo-
nious Utterance: But having the whole Ex-
chequer of France at his command, he was
Master of many pieces of this excellent Gold of
which I have already discours'd. Nor is the
Wonder extraordinary, that Court Ladies are
so complaisant, to prostitute their Bodies to the
most powerful Man of the Court, who could
use such prevailing Arguments as Pistoles to
compass his Ends.
The Story of Mons. Foucquet and Madam

the Countess of ⸺
BUT what was now extraordinary, was
his Amour with Madam the Countess
of --, a Lady of a great deal of Beauty, and
no less renown'd for her Virtue than her Wit
and Understanding. She never came to Town,
but liv'd in a Country Seat with her Husband,
who was a Gentleman of an ancient Family,
and had long held his Title, but his Estate was
very much shatter'd, and scarce sufficient to
keep 'em in that Splendour which his Quality
requir'd.
It happen'd that Mons. Foucquet, in his Pro-
gress, came to her Husband's Chateau, as the
only place fit to receive him in those parts; his

FRe-

66The Golden Spy.

Reception was answerable to his Dignity, and
the hopes the Count had that this Opportunity
might be so improv'd, as one day to put him
into a Post that might supply the defects of his
Estate: (tho' in that he might have been de-
ceiv'd, had not his Lady's Eyes brought stron-
ger Arguments for his Service than his Merit,
since Merit is a thing little minded by Cour-
tiers.)

By that time the Count had a little refresh'd
the Statesman, Supper was ready; and, to
make the Entertainment Compleat, Madam
the Countess was at the head of the Table.
Mons. Foucquet, tho' something tir'd with the
fatigue of his Journey, yet he was extreamly
sensible of her Charms; every Look he cast on
her, and e'ry Word she utter'd, encreas'd his
Flame; so that by that time Supper was o-
ver, and his Appetite satisfy'd with eating, his
Heart was fuller of Love. He had not been
us'd to ill Success in his Amours, and therefore
had the lets doubt of the like in this. He only
contriv'd to find some means of delaying his
departure a little while, till he could either
persuade the Husband to Court, or the La-
dy to his Bed. And he was not long about
the matter; for walking after Supper with the
happy Pair in the Garden, he pretended to
flip and sprain his Ankle, so much that he was
carry'd to his Chamber, and there attended
both by the Count and his Lady, they hoping
by Assiduity at this Occasion to lay some Ob-
ligation upon him to have a favourable Eye
to their Affairs.

This

Mons. FOUCQUET’s Amours.67

This pretended illness kept him there some
days, while the diligence of his fair Hostess
gave him frequent opportunity of telling her
his Passion, and that he was the greatest wretch
alive without her immediate Compassion. Gal-
lantrys of this Nature, tho' not so common in
the Country as City, yet enough establish'd
e'ry where in France, made all his Addresses
pass for Compliments of that Nature. But the
Countess being left with him one day, and
no body by but his own Servants, they had
the wit to withdraw by degrees till they left
him alone. When he press'd his Passion with
all the Eloqence he had, he seiz'd her
Hand, and gave it a thousand Kisses; nor satis-
fy'd with what but enflam'd him more, he
ravish'd some from her rosie Lips, which she
receiving with the utmost disdain, was lea-
ving the Room, but she could not disengage her
self from his Arms in a minute; which time
he us'd to mollifie her back with assurance of
a present of 20000 Louis d'Ores for the Favour,
which would be a Profit not Injury to her
Husband, whose Estate stood in need of so
powerful a Relief. She by this time had got
free from him, and left the Room, which Mons.
Foucquet did not at all endeavour to hinder,
assuring himself' that he had shot such a gol-
den Dart at her Person, that the more she re-
flected on it, the more favourable Effects her
Thoughts would produce.

The Count returning, found his Lady in
Tears, and with no little difficulty got out of
her the Cause. The Count had been at Court,

F 2and

68The Golden Spy.

and knew what a latitude was there allowed
in Address to the Ladies, and was not therefore
much surpriz'd or displeas'd at the Adven-
ture. The Twenty thousand Louis d'Or's are
perpetually in his Head, and he began to rea-
son a little Philosophically on the Subject. My
Estate is eating out with a deep Mortgage; I
have not hopes of any Redress in a Redempti-
on, I am out of all ways of Preferment; here are
20000 Pistoles in substantial good Gold, an Ar-
my enough to drive away all my Necessities;
the obliging the only Man that can make my
Fortune, and raise me to what height he
pleases. And what he seeks, what is it? a
pleasing Theft of an imaginary Treasure, for
which he pays me with a real. It is what I
may lose whenever my Wife pleases, to some
Scoundrel for nothing. I have no other Te-
nour of it but her Will or Humour. 'Tis true,
she has yet been very virtuous; at least I have
not been able to discover the contrary; and
that is all the Ground I have for my Satis-
faction. But if she has hitherto been Chaste,
how can I be sure but my Page or my Chap-
lain may find an opportunity of pleasing her
some time or other, and if a wanton one likes
her Man, she will deny him nothing. Since
therefore the trifle is so small, that Foucquet
would give so much for, and that very trifle
depends on a security so much more trifling,
a Womans Virtue, that is Humour, I think
it is the white spot of my Fate, and not to
make use of it to my own happiness, would be
a sin against my self.

Arm'd

Mons. FOUCQUET’s Amours.69

Arm'd with these good Resolutions, he
charg'd his Lady to be as complaisant as she
could, and to raise his Desires, and by that
means his Price; and let her know, that if she
should listen to the Statesman's proposals so
far as to surrender her Person into his Arms,
provided she secur'd the Sum, he should count
it rather an Obligation than an Offence. She
exprefs'd her Resentment at his Baseness to a
very high degree, and could not be brought
into his Company while she stay'd, except at
Meals, whence she always retir'd as soon as
they were over.

The Count in the mean while address'd to
Foucquet for some Post of Honour, that might
put him into a capacity of retrieving his fin-
king Family; and the Courtier having an Eye
to his own happiness, gave him such Assuran-
ces that he did not doubt of Success at his
coming to Court. It was now time for Mons.
Foucquet to leave the Counts House, which he
did with all the Regret in the World, assuring
the Count, that he should no sooner come to
Court, but find Preferment ready for him.

The Count stay'd no longer after him
than to settle his Affairs, for an Absence he
had some Reason to hope would not be very
short. He and his Countess being come to
Town, Mons. Foucquet provided him a Regi-
ment for the first Step, which pleas'd the Count
so well, that he allow'd him all the free access
to his House that he could desire; but still
found the Lady obstinate. The Count was
how gone to the Campaign, and Foucquet

F 3try'd

70The Golden Spy.

try'd all the means the Invention of Desire
could prompt, but could not master her obsti-
nacy. In the midst of this contest, News is
brought her of the Counts being kill'd in the
first Encounter he was in. The grief of her
Widowhood, and the decency of Religion
put a Necessity on Mons. Foucquet to forbear
his Visits. But the Mourning was not quite
over for her Husband, e're ill news was brought
her out of the Country, that the greatest part
of the Estate left her by her Husband was
seiz'd by the Mortgagees. This news was not
unwelcome to Foucquet, he therefore having
advanced his Price now to 60000 Louis d'Or's
she lent him this Letter, which was found a-
mong his Papers when he fell into Disgrace.

Your Person I hate, your Money I have occasion
for, wherefore if you bring the 60000 Louis
d'Or's with you, you shall not depart without your
odious Satisfaction.

The next Evening Mons. Foucquet was ad-
mitted, and having given her in Bills, Jewels,
and Money the Sum agreed upon, the Countess
conducted him up to her Bed-Chamber, and
with a great deal of Reluctance surrender'd
her beautiful Person into the Arms of the
only Man in the World she had an aversion to.
But she stay'd no longer in Paris than to.take
one to discharge the Mortgage and return
her Money into the Country, Where she
led a very pensive and solitary Life, till she
was vanquish'd by the vigorous addresses of
a jolly young Chevalier, who marry'd and bu-
ry'd her a few years Time.
But

Mons. FOUCQUET’s Amours.71

But that you may not outdo me in a Female
Favourite (pursu'd my Louis d'Ore) I shall not
omit the Marchioness D'Ancre, to whom I be-
long'd from her Rise to her Execution.

She was a Lady of the Bed-Chamber to
Maria de Medicis, and so very much in her Fa-
vour, that marrying Conchini an Italian, as
she likewise was, she rais'd him to the digni-
ty of Marshal of France, and thence by her In-
terest with the Queen, over whom she had an
absolute Ascendant, to be prime Minister, and
to have in his Power and Gift all the great Of-
fices of the Court and Kingdom, which are ve-
ry numerous, and capable of making a great
train of Dependants; which disquieting the
Princes of the Blood, more provok'd by the
Insolent Carriage both of him and his Wife,
they strove in vain to put them out of the Fa-
vour of the Queen Regent; so that they shot
him in the very Palace, and try'd, condemn'd
and beheaded her.

While yet she was in her Prosperity, she
was extreamly foolish in her Avarice; encrea-
sing by her Oppressions and sordid Deeds that
Envy which naturally great Power and Fa-
vour produce. There was no Degree of Men
but felt the Effect of her Covetous Temper.
Tradesmens Bills were never half paid, tho'
all reckon'd to the Queen: Whatever Gifts
the Queen bestow'd, two thirds fell short into
her hands, and the Receiver thought himself
well dealt with, if a third came to his. There
was a young Gentleman that had got toge-
ther five or six hundered Louis d'Ore, and ap-

F 4ply'd

72The Golden Spy.

ply'd to her Laquey to purchase a Place for his
subsistance. He was told, that the best way
of presenting, was, to buy some fine Diamond
Ring, in which laid out 300 of his
Louis d'Ores, he brought it to the Marchioness
d'Ancre, who having survey'd it, gave it a
thousand Praises, and told the young Man, that
he could not have given less for it than 500
Pistoles: he willing to magnify his Present, as-
sur'd her, that she had guest the Price most
exactly. This was what she desir'd, so prai-
sing the Jewel again, she return'd it, and told
him, that she had much rather have the value
in Gold, since she had so many Jewels alrea-
dy, that she did not know what to do with
them. The young Man was free to dispose
of his Ring to some loss, and so making up
the Sum, deliver'd it to her in Gold, and he
had the Place he desir'd.

The Fatal Rape.
THere was another young Gentleman,
all whose Revenue depended on an Of-
fice in the Parliament of Paris, in which he
had a quarter-share, and on another Man's
Life; however, he joyns with all the Paten-
tees, and undertakes to solicite a fresh account
of more Lives in Reversion. He applies to
the Maquess d' Ancre's Agent, and agreed for
500 Pistoles; but his Lady in the mean while
having notice of the matter, and finding she
could get more, Money for it, makes a Crea-
ture of his beg it of the Queen in her Name.
The

The Fatal Rape.73

The bargain being thus made, the young
Gentleman was surpriz'd at the disappoint-
ment, and soon finding whence the Blow
came, very boldly wrote the Marchioness
D'Ancre the following Letter, which coming
to her in the Church, as she could not for-
bear reading of it, so could she as little for-
bear tearing it in pieces when she had read
it.

I wish you, Madam, a long continuance of those
great Favours you possess in her Majesty, and
that by Acts of Goodness and Kindness you may
perpetuate your Memory to Posterity. But it has
been the Misfortune in all Ages of Persons of'your
exalted Station, never to hear the Complaints of the
Injur'd, till they became so universal, that nothing
but their Displacing or Ruin could appease the a-
bus'd People. That you may not be ignorant,
Madam, in a piece of Injustice lately done to me,
I must inform you, that I had absolutely agreed
with the Marshal's Agent, and with his Consent,
for the Place that Madam de **** has for your
Lady begg'd in her name. I desire you would do
me Justice, and not prostitute your Character for a
Trifle below your pursuit.

This Gentleman had a beautiful young
Wife, whom he had not long marry'd, who
by a Relation being introduc'd to the Mare-
schal, so pleaded her Case, that she at once
convinc'd his Judgment of the Injury he had
done her, and his Heart, that he should at-
tempt yet a greater. For being struck with
a violent Passion for the young Lady, he was
resolv'd to gratify his Inclinations at the ex-
pence

74The Golden Spy.

pence of the Happiness of the Lady and her
Husband. He therefore gave her hopes of
succeeding in her Petition, and order'd her to
come again when he had made a full enquiry
into the matter. The time being come, and
the Mareschal having prepar'd all things in
order to the satisfying of his lascivious De-
fires, some Ladies were ready to receive the
poor Victim, and amusing her Innocence with
pleasant Raileries and Stories, took her insen-
sibly fiom those that came with her, and had
her into the Lady's Apartment; Where ha-
ving refresh'd her with a noble Collation, they
took care to spice some of her Glasses with a
soporiferous Potion that would not work im-
mediately. Thence therefore they went to
bath in a Bagnio strow'd all with Flowers, and
scented with delightful Odours, they wash'd
her with rich Waters, and having all done
the same, they lay down each on a Couch for
a few moments in loose Linnen Garments, fit
for the Heat of the Season and Place. The
Opiate now working, the Ladies withdrew,
and the Marquess all undrest came, and easily
takes posession of the unresisting fair one. But
he was not easily satisfyd with viewing such
naked Beauties, which nothing could equal-
among Womankind, and repeated his Em-
braces till he found the Potion gave way to
the Power of Nature, and that she in the
midst of his Caresses gave him a Return that
he did not expect. But the fury being over,
he found that she was not well awake, and so
left her to come to her self.

When

The Fatal Rape.75

When she was now perfectly awake, she
found her self in a posture that was something
unusual, and was sensible by some Remains
and Tokens, that foul play had been offer'd
her. However, hearing some-body coming
in, she dissembled a while as if she yet was
asleep; when the Marquess, not yet satiated with
Enjoyment, assaults her afresh, and tho' she
strugled sufficiently and cry'd out, yet he
gain'd his lewd will, and had the pleasure of
seeing her Eyes, tho' full of Rage and Indig-
nation, while he felt such Transports that
none but happy Lovers can guess at; strug-
ling, at last she flew from his Arms, but knew
not what to do with her self. She curs'd her
Fortune, call'd him all the treacherous Vil-
lians she could think of, and those abomina-
ble Women who had betray'd her thus to
Ruin. No Ruin, my Dear, (reply'd he) can
come near the Woman whom the Marquess
D'Ancre secures in his Embraces. May all the
Curses of the Injur'd overtake thee (interrupted
she) and mayst thou fall by the Hands of some
Assassine, or rather Common Hangman. He
press'd to kiss her and renew all his Dallinces,
in hopes to appease her Grief by making her
Guilty by her own consent, but all in vain;
she was inexorable, he as outragious; tearing
off her loose Garment, and leaving her beau-
teous Form all naked to his Eyes, she fled
into the Bath to hide her self; he throwing off
his Garment, pursues her into the Element of
Waves, but there with strugling with him she

was strangled in the Waters, and he in a fright

re-

76The Golden Spy.

retires, and comes to the Intruments of his
Villany, bids them to try if there were any
Relief, but in vain, the poor Lady was stone
dead, and in the Night thrown into the Sein,
and being so found, was thought to have been
murder'd for her Chastity. But the Husband
having in vain sollicited for Justice, had no-
thing to trust to but Patience, till the Crimes
of all had brought 'em to a fatal and ignomi-
nious end.

My little Piece, with a true French Loqua-
ciousness would have gone on, but that the
Guinea now urg'd his Right and Turn of Dif-
course, and that since I had out of Civility to
Foreigners given them the preference offpeak-
ing, that they on their side should have so
much Moderation and Manners, as to be con-
tent with what they had said without taking
up too much of the Night in their own Rela-
tions. This bluff Reproach made all be si-
lent, when I encouraged my Guinea to go on,
and let me know what powerful things this
Gold had effected in this our World, as well as
in the Greater of the Continent.

I shall first (reply'd the Guiniea) say some-
thing of a Court in General, as the Signior
has done, tho' I shall differ with him in my
Sentiments of the Excellence of either the Con-
duct or Principles of most Courtiers. This
other World of England is as much distinct
from the Continent in Happiness and Liberty,
as in Situation. The Name at least yet re-
mains here, and the Thing, tho' often invaded
in almost e'ry Reign, yet has ever triumph'd

in

The English Female Favourite.77

in the end, and brought its Enemies to Shame
and Confusion. A Court therefore here is of
a different Nature to what it is in an arbitra-
ry Government; for here the Courtier or Fa-
vourite has a harder part to play to come off
with Credit and Success, than in Italy or France,
where they need only the Art to wheedle and
impose on the Prince, and they are Masters
of their Desires. But here the Courtier, States-
man or Favourite must have as careful an Eye
to the Good-will of the People, as to the Fa--
vour of the Soveraign, or their Prosperity will
be of a very short date. 'Tis true, the English
Favourite may not be one jot honester than
the Italian or French; may believe as little in
God, and the Duties of Religion or Morality;
may be as voracious and as insolent as either;
but then he must endeavour to assume Popular
Principles, declare for the Laws and Liberties,
put on the Vizor of the Patriot, to win the
People into a Credulity of the justness of his
Designs and Actions, and then he works with
safety, because his Miscarriages and Rogue-
ries, if discover'd, will be turn'd on the Ma-
lice of the contrary Party; and he will have
the Party that is strongest forget his Crimes
in his Misfortunes, and clear him of all Impu-
tations he atchiev'd for a Popular Name.

I would not, Sir, have you imagin that I
have been so little acquainted with our Court
in all Ages, as not to know that Avarice, Trea-
chery, Dissimulation, Ingratitude, False Promises,
and Poysonings too, have had place here as well
as in Italy or France; but I can say in general,

that

78The Golden Spy.

that our Courts have been freer from Blood

than those, and outwitting or undermining a
Man has often been the extent of the Revenge
of the most inveterate of our Favourites; nay,
the People have generally been satisfied with
the meer displacing of evil Ministers, without
punishg 'em for Crimes which naturally de-
serve the worst of Deaths, but leaving them
to enjoy in a Retreat what they have spoil'd
the Public of when in Office. Whether this
be an Argument of their Goodness or Folly,
I leave to your Judgment. But if Reward
and Punishment be the life of good Disciplin,
certainly the English have always wanted it
most of any People alive.

I shall not detain you here witha Discourse
I heard once spoke to a great Prince in this
Realm, to prove to him, That it was directly
contrary to the very Duty of a King, to hear
any particular Favourite, since the Prince be-
ing made for the Peoples Good, that's the only
End he ought ever to pursue: For 'tis impos-
sible that any Favourite, who has so many
by-Ends of his own, should ever lay before
the Prince the Real Good of his People; that
is only to be known by leaving his Ear open
to all, to the public Representations of the
People, and to all those whom Birth and Dig-
nity have brought to a Right of Admittance to
the Prince's Ear, as well as his Peers.

This does not exclude a King from imploy-
ing one Minister more than another, because 'tis
certain one Man has a greater Capacity than
another, and by consequence more fit to be

im-

The English Female Favourite.79

imploy'd. Dismissing therefore these nice
points, I shall only give you some account of
the Power of Gold in these Nations.

And first, I shall shew you not only a Fe-
male Favourite of this Nation, as voracious as
your Olympia or d'Ancre, but whole Parliaments
selling their native Liberty for Gold and Fa-
vour with the Prince. What is it for a Wo-
man to surrender her Honour for a Bribe pro-
portion'd to her Wishes? But for Men of E-
states to part with the Security not only of
them, but their Lives, for a Bribe, which very
Bribe is not safe in their hands by that means,
is a Miracle that only English Gold can per-
form.

But to make a right progress, I shall begin
with my Female Favourite.

Edward III. was a Prince who for many
Years made the most glorious figure in the
World of any that fate on the English Throne
since William the Bastard, yet in his declining
Years a Lady had the good Fortune to capti-
vate his Heart, in so powerful a degree, as to
fully his past Glories, and gave the State some
Disturbances, which were complain'd of in
Parliament till she was banish'd the Kingdom.

I was then part of a Gold Ring which she
always wore on her Finger, and so I had the
opportunity of being a Witness of all her Acti-
ons. In her Person she was graceful beyond
any equal, enclining to tall; her Skin white
as the driven Snow, her Hair Jet, her Eyes a
languishing Hazle, her Teeth even as Pearl,
and of that very colour; her Cheeks vermi-

lion'd

80The Golden Spy.

lion'd o'er with Nature's most exquisite Paint;
her Lips as ruddy, and her Breath as fra-
grant as Roses; her Hand small, her Fingers
taper, her Foot little, her Leg exactly turn'd,
her Waste slender, her Bosom full, and Breasts
hard and round, her Neck proportion'd; in
short, her Features were perfect, nor any Ble-
mish to be found in any Part about her; so
that if any thing could excuse the old King,
such an Angel as Alicia Perrers might, but
Kings are not Masters of their own Actions
nor Passions, they ought to be more mortify'd
than we suppose the Carthusians, or than the
Stoic would be thought; at least, if they yield
to a Passion, it ought to be bounded with such
Caution, as not to reach the Public. But
King Edward's Dotage of Reign grew more
strong, as his Body grew more weak; and the
less he was capable of pleasing a fair Lady,
the more he was fond of retaining her. But
tho' this Lady had all these Charms of Per-
son, yet her Mind was wholly disfurnish'd of
all those Graces, which should have confirm'd
her Merit, and made her truly desirable. She
was a very Female Cataline, profuse of her
own Riches, and voracious of others; as she
could give Wounds to others, so was her Heart
extreamly capable of receiving an amorous
Impression; nor would she ever disappoint her
desires by needless Scruples of Honour, or
Fear that the King should ever hear of her
Intrigues. Yet this it is to be Whore to a
King; her Visits were admitted by the most
virtuous, and she was caress'd by all the La-

dies

The English Female Favourite.81

dies of Quality. The King in honour of her
had proclaimed Justs and Tournaments in Smith-
field, and this Lady being made Lady of the
SUN, rode from the Tower of London through
Cheapside, attended by many Lords, Knights,
Squires and Ladies, every one of the other
Ladies leading a Lord or a Knight by his
Horses Bridle till they came to West-Smithfield,
where as soon as the Lady of the SUN arriv'd,
the Tournaments began, which held for se-
ven days together. There was at the upper
end of the Lift a sort of Semi-circular Thea-
tre or Throne, adorn'd with fine Tapestry, and
various Seats in the midst of which, on a sort
of Throne above the rest, fate the Lady of the
SUN, adorn'd with Beams more piercing and
burning than those of the fiery Planet it self,
on each side sate two rows of Ladies spark-
ling as the Galuary or fixt Stars, behind each
Chair flood her Knight. But all the Eyes of
the Assembly were bent with desire and ad-
miration. Happy above Measure (sigh'd each
to himself) the Man that can gain the Good
Graces of so Angelic a Creature. But as her
Beauty was able to inflame all Mankind, so
was her Bounty of that Beauty able to satis-
fy all her Adorers; tho' that part of her Cha-
racter was not known at this Time, perhaps
scarce discover'd by her own dear self, who
till this fatal day had not thought of any other
Person but the old and feeble King, and on
him only for her Profit, for the Gold, Jewels
and Grants she got of him, not for the amo-
rous Pleasures he gave her. But this Tilting

Gbeing

82The Golden Spy.

in her Honour, under the Title of Lady of the
SUN, as she appear'd in greater Glory, and
more conspicuous than ever before, so did ma-
ny a martial Knight exert himself both in
Feats of Arms and Address, much more than
ever they had done, without hopes of being
gracious in her Eyes. But Woman, like For-
tune, seldom chuses by Merit, but by the
blind impulse of her own Fancy, influenc'd
by some odd, secret, invisible Charm, which
no-body else can discover.

Thus the Lady of the SUN took little No-
tice of any of the Noble and the Brave, who
had peform'd their Parts to admiration of all
that beheld them, but had soon fixt her Eyes
on one Michael de la Pool, a Merchants Son of
the City of London, (afterwards in Richard 2d's
time Earl of Suffolk, &c.) This Gentleman was
very young, and guiltless of the Razor was his
Chin, the Doun scarce yet appearing there; his
Hair was flaxen, his Complexion clear and
ruddy, his Stature pretty tall, his Air and
Mein bold, yet agreeable; his native Assu-
rance was fortify'd with his native Ignorance,
(wonderful matter to make a Favourite of)
and that had plac'd him on the Theatre among
the People of Fashion, and so luckily as to be
wholly expos'd to the View of the Lady of the
SUN, who found her self as much surpriz'd
with his Charms, as all the Men were with
hers.

There

The English Female Favourite.83

There were others there who would have
given many a lavish Present to have made such
a progress in her Heart as Michael had done;
but in vain; among the rest was Sir Edward
Hunsfield, a Man of considerable Fortune, and
one, tho' Nature had given him not one gene-
rous Quality, had Folly and Extravagance e-
nough to squander it away in a few Years,
without the Imputation of having done the
least good with any Part of it. Sir Edward
knew nothing of the finer Sentiments of Love,
but only the brutal Enjoyments, which like
a Brute he had rather come immediately to,
than heighten his Desires and Pleasure by all
the decent and charming Approaches the
skilful Managers of Pleasure make use of on
these Occasions. Having therefore seen the
Lady of the SUN, found an impatient desire
of lying with her, and letting his Confidant
know his Distemper, he reply'd in this Man-
ner: Stay, dear Friend, Sir Edward, since your
Ambition is mounted so high as the Mistress of
A King, you have this comfort, that her Temper is
such, that you may buy her Favors with Gold, to
which she sacrifices all things. The Knight was
well pleas'd that any way as cut out to a
Pleasure that had rais'd his Desires to a great-
er stretch than ever before he had experienc'd,
and gave his Friend or Pimp full Power to
treat with the Lady's Agents in this Affair,
which with some difficulty was concluded for
10000 Nobles; and he being admitted to her
Apartment, found the Lady in Bed, ready to
receive him and his Money. But the Knight's

G 2mis-

84The Golden Spy.

misfortune was such, that when he had en
ter'd the Lifts of Venus, and the willing Fair
one ready to surrender all her wonderful
Charms to his Arms, the Knight prov'd less
than a Man, and spent the Whole Night in
fruitless Attempts at a Happiness his Stars
had depriv'd him of the Power of possessing.
The time of parting is come, the Knight
full of Dispair and Rage, curs'd his Stars, and
whatever had disabled him from reaping the
Benefit of his Purchase; yet Apologizing in
as tender a manner as he could to tle Lady,
begg'd that she would allow him another time
of Tryal. But she smiling, told him, that she
fear'd it would be to no purpose, but that if
hie pleas'd to bring the other 10000, she would
give her self the Mortification of his Embra-
ces another Night, but on no other Condition.
So departing with Shame, Sir Edward never af-
ter solicited so vain and expensive a Suit.

De la Poole in the mean while found his Stars
more propitious, arriving at greater Happi-
ness with less Charge. For before the days
of the Tournament was over, he had found
some favourable Glances from the Lady of
the SUN, to which his own Vanity gave such
an Interpretation, as to raise his Endeavours
to improve the Imagination to a Reality. For
as soon as the Sports of the day were at an end,
he took care at the rising of the Company to
press among the Crowd, as close to her as
possible; and Opportunity offering, in the
hurry, seiz'd her fine Hand, and press'd it with
Ardour: She first suffer'd his Assurance, and

then

The English Female Favourite.85

then encreas'd it by returning his Advances,
till he found out the way of being admitted
privately to Closet; and where the Man that
knows himself belov'd is alone with the Wo-
man he desires both by Ambition and Love,
there is no time left before he secures his Aim,
by seizing all that the Lady could give. Her
Resistance was not great, and she perhaps dif-
cover'd more fire in the Encounter than the
happy Man the bestow'd those Favours upon,
that so many sigh'd for in vain.

These amorous Thefts had been sometimes
repeated when the Negotiation with Sir Ed-
ward was finish'd, and Five thousand of the
Nobles she received from her Bubble she gave
to her favour'd Gallant, with which he pur-
chas'd an Annuity of 500 Nobles a year, which
he possest till his Disgrace and Ruin in the
succeeding Reign.

De la Poole, tho' he had a mixture of Love
in this Intrigue with this Lady, yet Self In-
trest was the charm that preserv'd his Constan-
cy so long, that some of the Enemies of
the Lady of the SUN, by their Spies, had some
notice of the Affair, and did what they could
to put an end to the Dotage of the King, by
making a discovery of her Infidelity. It was
with all the Address of Cunning that they
could insinuate so much Suspicion into the
King, as to make him agree to a tryal of find-
ing him in her Apartment alone with her, as
she promis'd to show him. Information was
brought, and the King and his Friends pass'd
by a Master-Key into her Lodgings, at the

G 3very

86The Golden Spy.

very Minute that la Poole was happy in her
Arms. The King, I suppose, out of a desire
of not being undeceived, making some noise
at the last Door, the Lovers had just turn'd
to disengage themselves, and by her dexte-
rous Address she hid him under her Petty-
coats, and fat down upon him, and feigning
the Collick, receiv'd the King and his Atten-
dants without the least surprize; discovering
all the while the Agonies of those sharp Pains
to which she pretended. The Room being
search'd, and every place examin'd, the King
look'd on her with a pleasing Eye, but frown-
ing on those that had accus'd her, led them
speedily from her Apartment, begging par-
don for their unseasonable Intrusion.

The Company being gone, she immediate-
ly got up and deliver'd the Prisoner from his
confinement and pain, and throwing him on
the Bed to recover his fright, she goes and fa-
stens all the Doors, to prevent any farther sur-
prize; when returning to him, she could not
forbear laughing at the happy Event, and the
woful Condition her Lover had been in while
he bore all his burden on his Shoulders, almost
stifled with the very Heat of the Empyrean
of Love. Having rally'd a little, and lightned
his Spirits, they ventur'd into the Bed, and
there revel'd in the very Luxury of Pleasure,
till the Mornings approach gave him notice
to retire, which he did with all the safety
imaginable.

Tir'd

The English Female Favourite.87

Tir'd with the Pleasures, not the Pains of'
the Night, the Lady kept her Bed to a very
unusual hour, which serv'd for a confirmation
of the reality of that Illness she had only pre-
tended: for when a Man has a mind to be de-
ceiv'd by a Woman, the very things that
should discover the Imposture confirm him in
the belief of its being a Reality. Thus the
King, almost afraid, to see her, after he had be-
tray'd a Suspicion, without being able to justifie
it by a Proof of her Infidelity, approach'd her
Bed with a visible fear of her Anger. She was
not insensible of her Power, but was resolv'd
to turn it to her own advantage, and therefore
receives him with a seeming Disdain, and (in
short) makes him pay dear for doubting her
Honour, when he could bring no proof of her
Guilt.

Her imagin'd Innocence in this, gave her
such an Ascendant over the King's Soul, that
he could deny her nothing: This Advantage
she was resolv'd to make use of while the King
was alive, and the Death of the Black Prince had
remov'd all her powerful Opposers. She was
possess'd of this Maxim, That if she got but
Money enough, she could be guilty of no Crimes but
'twas in the power of that to stop the Prosecution.
She first engross'd all the profitable Places to
her self and her Creatures; every thing that
would bring in the Gold, she took care to di-
spose of at the best Market Price. If there was
any Suit in Law depending betwixt her self (or
any of her Creatures) and any other, she would
her self appear and sit in Courts of Judicature.

G 4by

88The Golden Spy.

by her Presence and Influence to wrest Justice
from its byass: And there were such Judges in
Commission, as would endeavour to gratifie a
Lady, from whom they might hope so much.

Virtue is not naturally (or at least customa-
rily) the Growth of Courts, or any of the Ave-
nues to 'em; so that 'tis no Wonder that most,
if not all those who had any dependance there,
or any Views that way, were ready not only
to submit her Exorbitances, but even to flat-
ter 'em with the specious Name of Prudence,
and an innocent Care of her Interest. I will not
so much condemn her for fleecing such as ap-
ply'd only for the Means and Power of fleecing
some others, that might have a Dependance on
the Offces they purchas'd, since those would
else have made use of her Power only for their
own advantage, while the Infamy of their
Actions would reach up to her who had pre-
ferd 'em; but by making them pay for what
she did for 'em, she prostituted not her Cha-
racter to the Hate of the People for nothing.
Yet she can never be forgiven, in suffering her
mercenary Temper to vanquish all Considera-
tions for the Frailties of Love, to which she
found her Heart always very much inclin'd:
For, from the King, she try'd most Degrees of
his Leige-people, even to Rope-dancers and
Players, or any Man whose robust Appearance
promis'd a vigorous satisfaction of her salacious
Enjoyments. Yet she prov'd an implacable
Enemy to a young Lady, call'd Matilda, and
her Lover Gotofre in the Misfortunes which at-
tended 'em on the discovery of their Intrigues.

The

89
The Story of MATILDA and GOLOFRE.

MAtilda was a Relation of this Favourite
Lady of the SUN, and all her dependance
was entirely upon her Father and Mother,
who were very nearly related to her. In hopes
of Preferment, Matilda was sent out of the
Country to Court, to be under the Eye of Alicia,
the Lady of the SUN: On the Road she and her
Company were overtaken by a young Gentle-
man about the age of Twenty, and his Servant.
It hapned the Waters were extreamly out in
many parts of the Country, especially in that
part which they were yet to pass, between the
place where they joyn'd company and London.
After some hours Conversation, the young La-
dy and Gentleman found themselves struck
with a mutual Passion for one-another, and
every moment improving it, they came to a
Lane overflow'd with Water, and in it was a
Bridge that was to be pass'd, but was entirely
cover'd by the Flood, which to miss was to
hazard in a great measure their Lives: Young
Golofre, in pain for his Mistress, rode before
her, to direct her Horse in the way, but in the
midst of the Water, just by the Bridge, her
Horse by some strange Accident startled with
such vehemence, that he threw the Lady from
his Back, who screaming out as she was falling
into the Water, she soon sank; the Lover im-
mediately leap'd from his Horse to save her,
and as she rose a second time, caught hold of
her Arm, and drew her close to him. There

was

90The Golden Spy.

was, about a Bowshot off, a sort of Island in the
Water, that held its Head a little above the
Stream, and attended by two or three Trees and
a small Hutt or House, the only hopes of Life to
the despairing Gallant; thither he steer'd his
Course, supporting his dear Matilda with one
Hand, in his cumbersom Accoutrements, now
almost spent with getting to the desir'd place.

Scarce was he able to get either himself or his
dear Lady up the Bank, which at the place they
came to was somewhat more steep and slippery
than in any other part; yet, unable to venture
farther, he exerted himself, and with no little
difficulty got her ashore, and by degrees into the
Hovel that was there. It had been a Receptacle
of some Wretch that us'd in the Summer-time to
live there on the Alms or Expences of Travel-
lers, by selling a Dram, or some such thing, as
they pas'd; but in this Season it was left
desolate, as unable to afford any Benefit by being
in such a solitary place. There was in it a sort
of a thing like a Chimney, a broken Stool, and
two or three Hurdles that might supply the office
of a Bed: There were likewise some little pieces
of Sticks, that might make a Fire, could they
find any means of lighting the Fuel; but Indu-
stry overcomes all things. Golsfre more con-
cern'd for his Mistress than himself, gently pla-
ced her on the Hurdles, and bending her Head
down, would have made her bring up the Water
she had swallow'd, and by good Fortune having
a Bottle of Cordial Water in his Pocket, he gave
her some, which produc'd new Life and Vigour
to support her under this Misfortune. Searching

about,

MATILDA and GOLOFRE.91

about, he found a Flint and some Touchwood,
and by the help of his Knife he struck fire, which
he improv'd so far, as to light the Sticks which
Fortune had thrown in his way: By this means
they dry'd themselves, expecting their Servants
would bring 'em some Relief. But they by good
Luck having escap'd the Danger, and Golofre's
Man having got his Master's Horse, ne'r design'd
to proceed in so dangerous a Road, but by the
first opportunity got up into the higher Ground,
and made his way over Hedge and Ditch to the
first House he could fee. The Lady's Horse was
drove down with the Stream, and her Servant
with much ado getting back again, never staid
to examin whether his Mistress were safe or no,
but return'd home to his Master with the News,
that she was drown'd.

Golofre's Man had found his passage so difficult,
that when he came in fight of a House it began to
be duskish, and almost dark by that time he had
reach'd it: It fortunately prov'd to be a Mill that
stood on that Rivulet, which the Rains had now
made so dangerous a Tortenr. The Miller had
a little flat Boat, which he us'd to paddle with
on the head of his Mill-pond, and was soon per-
swaded by the Man to venture down the Stream
with that Boat, to fetch up his Mailer and the
Lady, but no Price could win him to so dange-
rous an Attempt in a Night that afforded not one
glimering Star to direct so uncertain a Course,
but as soon as the Day began to peep they set out
on their Voyage, and in three hours time arriv'd
at the place, where they found the poor Lovers
in despair of all Relief; for having throughly
dried

92The Golden Spy.

dried themselves by the Fire, and again reviv'd
themselves with a Dram, they had leisure to con-
sider their dismal Circumstance; yet could not
all the Danger they had past, or that which they
were now in, refrain his declaring his Passion,
and pressing her so far as to confess, that by Gra-
titude and Inclination she was inclin'd to reward
a Love so agreeable to her Wishes.

Vows of eternal Love and Friendship being
pass'd, he began to consider how he should find
Means for her to get home Repose; he renew'd
the Fire, pull'd off his Coat, and wrapping her
in it, laid her on the Hurdles, her Head lying in
his Lap, to his no small pleasure and satisfaction.
Tho' Matilda's Fatigue had compel'd her to yield
to some short Slumbers, yet Golofre had a mix-
ture of too much Pleasure and too much Pain,
to have the relief of a wink of Sleep all that
Night, but often in the Transports of his Passion
hug'd Matilda so eagerly, that he wak'd her from
her Repose.

The Miller and his Man being come, they all
went on board this noble Vessel; and the Miller
being as skilful as Typhis, they arriv'd safely at
his Mill, and there with what the Miller's Stock
could afford they refresh'd themselves, and Ma-
tilda went to rest in the Miller's Bed, and Golofre
in his Man's; and tho' neither of 'em were Beds
of Doune, yet they slept heartily, being warm
and secure.

But the Convenienee the Miller had was
not sufficient for the Condition of the Guests;
and no Town was nearer than four or five,
Mile, and the Lady found her self, in a very

bad

MATILDA and GOLOFRE.93

bad Condition, very feaverish and weak, but
made shift by the help of the Millers Wife to
dress her self, and get on Horseback, and by a
gentle pace to reach the first Inn of a tolera-
ble Accommodation, where she immediately
took her Bed, and he sent for a Physician, the
best in the Country, but she grew worse and
worse, becoming lightheaded; so that Golofre
who never was from her, thought fit at last
to send his Man away to her Fathers House
to inform him of her Condition; this was two
days Journey at that Season, and before her
Mother could come, her Feaver had left her,
and she was in a fair way of recovery.

Matilda took care to give a large and pa-
thetique Account of Golofre, and the Services
he had done her, and that owing her Life to
him, she could do no less than comply
with his Importunities by a promise of Mar-
riage, if she could get her Friends Consent.
The Mother had view'd him with Eyes that
persuaded her to think kinder of him than of
a Son-in-law; and considering that their stay
was not to be long together, she made Several
advances to the young Man, which he would
better have met, had his Heart been free from
the Charms of the Daughter; for the Mother
was not above Thirty four, and very Youth-
ful both in Appearance and Thoughts, she had
Beauty enough to render her desirable, and
provocation enough from a fumbling old Hus-
band to wish that others might think so, espe-
cially young Golofre, whom every moment
she lov'd more and more. She had Address

enough

94The Golden Spy.

enough to put off his Demands and her Daugh-
ters to the decision of her Husband, to whom
it was necessary that she should return, till her
health was confirm'd, and the Fathers deter-
mination in that particular receiv'd.

Being therefore now able to fit a Horse, an
eafie one was got, and the higher Roads cho-
fen to return to her Fathers, whither young Go-
lofre was invited on what he thought the Hap-
piness of his Life, but indeed only for the use
of the Mother, who had attempted by broad
sides often to let him know her Mind, of
which he having inform'd the Daughter, she
took care to allow as few moments of Perse-
cution to her Love as possible; but it was im-
possible always to prevent some opportunities,
when a Mother that govern'd the Family
made it her Business. Bertha (that was the
Mothers Name) had manag'd the old Man
so, as to give Denials to the Pretender,
telling him, that should he yield to his Suit, it
was only to deprive himself of those Honours
which he had coveted, by seeing her marry'd
to a Man of the first Quality, by the Interest
of Madam Alicia their near Kinswoman; That
he had now, thro' her Interest, a fair prospect
of arriving to the Dignity of a Lord and Peer
of that Realm. These were Arguments
strong enough to secure her Husband from
granting a Boon, that must deprive her of the
Happiness that she esteem'd the greatest in this
World.

Golofre began to be weary of doubtful Re-
plies, and therefore press'd the old Gentleman

to

MATILDA and GOLOFRE.95

to be plain with him, and let him know what
he had to depend on in a point of that con-
cern to his Repose; and found at last, that the
Father, unable to put him off longer, let him
know that his Desire was not in his Power;
that his Cousin Alicia had taken her for her
own, and demanded the entire disposal of her
Person, that in Gratitude for the Life he had
sav'd, he would write to her in his behalf. This
being all the Answer he could get, Golofre
having inform'd Matilda of the matter, resolv'd
to go immediately for London, and try by some
means or other to get into the good Graces
of her who had the disposal of his Happiness
in the Person of Matilda. The Evening be-
fore he was to depart, Bertha at her wits ends,
was resolv'd to put all to the hazard of a tryal
of Skill. When therefore, Golofre was in Bed,
and asleep, as she had taken care her Hus-
band should be, by a private Door she let her
self in her Shift into the Chamber where her
Beloved lay, and gently got into the Bed
without waking him, she having taken care
that the old Gentleman and he should have
both their Load, Bacchus over-powering Venus
and all her Night Torments, Languishments
and Watchings, Golofre slept most profoundly.
How Bertha manag'd the matter I can't tell,
but being a Woman of Address, she did not
entirely lose her Satisfaction; which eagerly
pursuing, the Gallant awak'd, and surpriz'd
betwixt sleeping and waking at a Woman in
Bed with him, and in so familiar a posture,
he was removing away from her, but she clas-

ping

96The Golden Spy.

ping him about the Waste, cling'd too close to
be easily shook off. Whether, my dear Golofre, dost
thou flee from the languishing Matilda (said she)?
My Parents deny me thy Lawful Embraces, but not
being able to live without them, in my Night of
Dispair I have thrown aside my Virgin Modesty to
posses them without the Ceremony of Law. What
has past betwixt us in thy sleep was but a half Sa-
tisfaction, while I was depriv'd of those Transports
thy Love for Matilda must give thee to find her
in thy Arms, suffering thee to rifle all her Charms.
Why thus cold, thus indifferent? Spare my Mo-
desty, while darkness hides my Blushes, and thy self
a Man in Reality, as well as in Appearance.

Golofre had too noble an Idea of Matilda to
think, that she could either act or speak in
this matter, and believ'd, that it was no o-
ther than her Mother, and thus reply'd, stri-
ving to get loose from her hold, while she
twin'd her self about him like a Snake, not to
be shook off. Madam (said he) dismiss me, such
Impudence unmans; me while you kept your Virtue
you had Charms, now you act like the most aban-
don'd Prostitute, you have none: Dismiss me, or I
shall raise the House and expose you to your Parents,
who as I find they do not love you, so have they
Reason.

Base Man, reply'd Bertha, too well thou know'st
in whose Arms thou art; Matilda would have
found thee more warm; yet know, thou canst never
enjoy her without Incest, and I will take care, if
possible, that you never see each other more.⸺ Yet
you ought to consider the Injury you have done me,
for my Virtue wounded me with a Passion that must

render

MATILDA and GOLOFRE.97

render my Life ever miserable. If thou hast sav'd
my Daughters Life, wilt thou murder me for her
sake? No, I know no Reason but that she should
die for her that gave her Life, not I for doing
it. Do not struggle thus, I cannot hold thee long:
Am I not fair? I'm daily told of a thousand Charms
that yet smile in my Face, have I not one to touch
thy obdurate Heart? Not enow to move thy Com-
passion, if not Love? To add a double em-dash (often representing an omission), you would do as follows: ⸺ As she would have
gone on, he broke from her, and she in her
Agony could not help reproaching him so
loud, and in terms so vehement; that he was
afraid the House would be disturb'd. She
apprehended his fear, and following him out of
Bed To add a double em-dash (often representing an omission), you would do as follows: ⸺ No, no, said she, if I cannot live in Hap-
piness, thou shalt not live beyond me, here I will fix
my self till my Husband come and transfix us both,
that will be some Pleasure, to dye with you, , and hin-
der any other from enjoying the Pleasure that is
deny'd to me. She urg'd him with that vehe-
mence, that he perswaded her to go into the
Bed, and that he would come to her, and do
what he could to acquit himself of what she
expected from him.

Perswaded by these fair Words, nor yet wil-
ling to be caught in that condition by the
Family, she return'd to the Bed, supposing
some necessary Occasion might oblige him to
stay a little; but he making to the Door, with
much ado got it open, and flying to his Man's
Chamber, she pursu'd him; he had scarce got
in e're she was come to him; but being thus
excluded, she vow'd Revenge, and so left
him.

HBut

98The Golden Spy.

But all this had made so much noise, that
not only Matilda, but some of the Servants were
rouz'd; and coming out with Candles, found
Golofre's Door open, tho' all his Cloaths there,
and presently Bertha full of Rage and Tears, in
her Smock: She could not bear the fight of Ma-
tilda, but giving her some blows and scratches
on her Face, she drove her to her Chamber
and had it not been for the Servants, had cer-
tainly destroy'd her. This rouz'd the Old-man,
who missing his Wife, and hearing his Daugh-
ters Voice, gets up, runs to her Chamber, and
examines the matter, interposing his Authori-
ty: My Dear, (said Bertha) lying awake, I heard
Matilda's Chamber-door open, and she trip away,
as I imagin'd, to Golofre's Chamber; fearing the
worst, I immediately went after thus in my Shift, to
prevent what I fear'd: I heard her open his Door
and steal in; I follow'd and pursu'd her even to his
Bed, where seizing her, her Gallant rose in her de-
fence, threatning me in a vile and scandalous man-
ner; but, unable to move me, I got her out, and my
Passion prevailing, beat her and scratch'd her Face,
but am sorry I proceeded so far, since I had happily
prevented the Mischief.

This rais'd the Old-man's Indignation, and
taking his great Sword, would have gone im-
mediately to his Chamber, and made him pay
his Life for his Attempts on the Honour of his
Family; but being a little pacified by his La-
dy, and desir'd to defer it till the morning, he
was led back to his Chamber and Bed by his
false Spouse. The Servants and Matilda knew
that all Bertha had utter'd was entirely false;

and

MATILDA and GOLOFRE.99

and Matilda, who knew her Mother's Passion
for Golofre, was satisfied that she had made
some fruitless Attempt on his Virtue, nothing
else could have put her into so violent a Rage.

Golofre's Man in the mean while got up,
drest himself, and coming down, found the Ser-
vants with Lights, by the help of which he
gather'd his Master's Cloaths together, and
carried 'em up to his Chamber, where he drest
him, and told him what he heard from the Ser-
vants below. Golofre was mightily touch'd
with the Misfortunes of his dear Matilda, and
chose rather to expose himself and Bertha to
the Resentment of the old Gentleman, than to
leave Matilda expos'd to the Malice and Re-
venge of so barbarous a Mother: He therefore
resolv'd not to stir till he had seen the old Gen-
tleman, and set things in as good a posture as
he possibly could. The old Man was up before
his usual Hour, full of Resentment for the sup-
pos'd Injury Golofre had done him; his Wife
push'd him on, hoping that one or both would
fall in the Quarrel, and that if either surviv'd,
it might be in her power soon to send him af-
ter the other; to such dangerous Extreams do
our Passions drive us, when we give our selves
up to their conduct, without regard to Virtue
or Honesty.

Matilda had lock'd her self up in her Cham-
ber with only her Maid, full of Tears and De-
spair both for her self and her Lover. And
now the old Gentleman and Bertha came into
the Hall, where they found Golofre and his Man
ready to take Horse as soon as they had seen

A 2him

100The Golden Spy.

him. Bertha, to amuse her Husband, imme-
diately falls on the young Man, calling him
base and treacherous Villain, a Spoiler of their
Honour and Peace, and thunder'd out such a
Volley of abusive Curses, that the old Man
.vas fain to command her to be silent, and
leave the righting his Honour to himself.

Madam, said Golofre, I am sorry your Madness
and Folly have put me under a necessity of declaring
to your Husband, that your Rage at me is because I
would not be the Spoiler of the Honour of your Fa-
mily, and not because I had in vain attempted it:
but the Preservation of our Daughter's Life, and
the clearing mine own Honour, oblige me to Course
I tremble to take.

These words alarm'd both the Husband and
Wife, but she, who had only Impudence to
bring her off, began to scold again, but her Hus-
band told her, that a method so preposterous
would more confirm him in his Doubts than
all the Evidence Golofre could bring. Silence
being therefbre made, Golofre in as modest
terms as possible let the old Gentleman know
how she had persecuted him with her Love,
and that if he had that Night but yielded to
have broke the Bands of Hospitality, there had
beenno Disturbance, but he had departed in
Peace, and done a Villany, which his refusing
to be guilty of has involv'd him in. He then
oblig'd the Servants to give an account of all
they knew, and by comparing all together, the
Husband was satisfied of his Wife's design of
making him a Cuckold, but not of the Matter
of Fact, since he easily believ'd that Golofre's

Heart

The English Female Favourite.101

Heart being prepossess'd with the Love of the
Daughter, he might easily resist what could be
therefore no Temptation to him. Command-
ing his Wife to her Chamber immediately, he
took his leave of Golofre, and at his desire sent-
his Daughter to a Relation ten miles off, till
her Face was recover'd, and she got to London,
there to undergo as heavy a Persecution for
Love under the Lady of the SUN.

What became of Bertha and her Husband I
know not, having only heard what I told you
related by Matilda and Golofre, to Alicia, in
hopes by that means to soften her Heart to
pity a Love that arofe in Misfortunes, and yet
never met with any Smile of Success.

When Matilda was come to London, she was
graciously receiv'd by her Cousin the Lady of
the SUN; and the more, because she found in
her Charms that might be able to engage the
Heart of some Man of Power to strengthen
her Interest when the old King should die, and
when she must expect the Assaults of her Ene-
mies, for all the Irregularities which she had
committed all the time of her Power.

She try'd the King's Sons, but there she was
too much hated to hope for Success, or any to-
lerable Terms: she at last consider'd of her old
Gallant de 1a Poole, by a sort of Prophetic Spirit
foreseeing his Power and Interest in the next
Reign, tho' then there was not the least appea-
rance of any such mighty Fortune attending
him. De la Poole saw her with admiration,
and had he suppos'd that Alicia's Power would
have been of any long continuance, he had

H 3soon

102The Golden Spy.

soon gorg'd the Bait; but as Matters stood, he
kept her in such a suspence, that she had no
reason but to think that he thought the Match
very honourable as well as advantageous to
him.

Golofre had made such an Interest with a
Privado of the Lady of the SUN, that he was ad-
mitted with Matilda to make a full relation of
all that had pass'd between them, which they
told in so moving and pathetic a manner, as
must have mov'd any one who could be sensi-
ble of any thing but her own Interest; she was
too much a Courtier to dismiss 'em without
Hopes, tho' she resolv'd to disappoint their
Desires.

Golofre was no sooner gone, but Matilda was
order'd to be strictly guarded, and all Admit-
tance (even Letters to or from Golofre) entirely
forbidden: And de la Poole growing colder as
the King grew weaker, she applied to another
young Spark, who was very great with all the
King's Sons, had a Place about the Prince of
Wales, and was therefore likely to secure her
the better when he came to be King. He saw
her, liked her and immediately agrees with
the Lady of the SUN, who acquaints Matilda,
That she must prepare to marry this Gentle-
man in two days time, because she would not
leave so useful a Match to the hazard of For-
tune.

Matilda was struck dumb at the News, and
distracted with Despair, resolv'd not to outlive
the violation of her Faith. With some Indu-
stry and more Gold she brib'd one of her

Guards,

MATILDA and GOLOFRE.103

Guards, (for Courtiers can't resist Gold on any
Consideration) who convey'd a Letter from
her to Golofre, by which she inform'd him of all
that was design'd against his Happiness and
hers; promising, if he could contrive any way,
that she would flee with him from the hated
Court, to the farthest part of the habitable
World. It was the good Fortune of these Lo-
vers, that the Messenger who brought Golofre
the Letter was the Son of a Neighour of his,
who had formerly been supported by his Fa-
mily Time out of Mind; and enquiring his
Name, took care to let him know his Obliga-
tion:, and with Prayer's and more Gold agreed
to help her to escape to him the next Night.

Golofre got a Priest and every thing in order
to fix Matters so fast, that it should not be in
the power of Fate to separate 'em any more.
Althings being therefore done with Diligence
and Care, Matilda was convey'd to an Apart-
ment provided, and immediately married to
him; and the Hour of the Night, and further
security of their Love requiring it, they imme-
diately went to Bed; where I leave 'em to
those Joys true Lovers find in each others Em-
braces, and return to the Lady of the SUN, who
was soon inform'd of her Escape, and of the
Servant that convey'd her away. Her Rage
being highten'd by thie disappointment of that
Refuge she promis'd her self, she imploys all
her Creatures to make strict enquiry after 'em,
who at last lighting on the House, search'd it,
and found 'em in Bed together. Golofre told
'em she was his Wife, and that no Man had

H 4power

104The Golden Spy.

power to separate 'em, which now could only
be done by that God who joyn'd 'em.

Build not on that, said one of the Leaders of
those who search'd for 'em, for the Court can
do as much as he that made you, in this or any thing
else, when it pleases: However, since I have not
yet Power to do any thing in this, we shall only secure
you here till we inform our Lady what discovery we
have made.

Alicia was more enrag'd that she was disap-
pointed, than if she had allow'd him a Favour
for Friendship; but resolving not to lose the
means of her future Security, she determin'd
to destroy him by the force of Law if possible;
if not, by more clandestine means. She easily
obtains a Warrant to secure him for stealing a
valuable Jewel at the same time he carried off
her Cousin; she had those that on his Tryal
would swear it, and doubted not of the Kind-
ness of the Judge to wrest an Evidence to her
side as far as he could. Matilda was forc'd from
her dear Husband by the violence of the Mes-
sengers, and born to Alicia at the same time
that Golofre was carried to Prison. The poor
Lady Matilda suffer'd, tho' not in so nauseous a
Prison, yet in a fine Room, all the Persecution
she was capable of from the Lady of the SUN,
whose Rage was proportion'd to the Disap-
pointment she had given her: She upbraided
her with Folly and Ingratitude, protested that
her favour'd Lover or Husband should be
hang'd, and that she would turn her out to
Misery, if she did not comply, and marry the
Perfon she had chose for her.
Thus

MATILDA and GOLOFRE.105

Thus was she for some time persecuted, and
Golfre by the unwholsom Damps of the Prison
became sickly, when the very Person Alicia
planted for his ruin, deliver'd him. The Lady
of the SUN had charg'd Matilda to receive her
Friend kindly, and to make no discovery of
her being already married, or she would take
care, by the next Visit, to remove her pretend-
ed Husband out of the World; and so intro-
ducing her Friend, left the young Couple to-
gether. He press'd his Love, she discover'd
nothing but Despair, till affeced with her
Grief, he began seriously to enquire into the
Cause; and having work'd her into a belief of
his Sincerity by his Protestations both of Secre-
cy and Service, she told him the whole Story
of her Amour and Marriage, and the cruel
Event of it. Now, Sir, (said she) if your Pre-
tences of Love are real, you will not see me misera-
ble, but bring me some Relief; yet no Relief can be
of any force with me, but the Safety of my Dear Go-
lofre; assist in that, and you'll oblige me in so sen
sible a manner, that any thing in both our powers will
be ever your Due. The young Courter, tho'
touch'd, with the Story, was yet so much a
Courtier as to do nothing without a Bribe,
where it could be had, and therefore presses
those Favours she could grant, without depen-
ding on any one else: She resists so vigorously,
that even Force was offer'd till she desir'd a
Parley; the Articles were, That when he had
set 'em both at liberty, and done something
worthy such a Favour, he might demand with-
out fear of a Repulse. Tho' Matilda never de-

sign'd

106The Golden Spy.

sign'd to comply with his lewd Desires; yet she
had found, that Sincerity was of no use in a
Court, where false Promises are current Coin.

All the young Man could do, was to find out
Golfre's Prison, and remove him to better Lodg-
ings, which he had no way to do, but only by
threatning the Goaler with severe Punishment,
if Golofre mircarried under his custody; telling
him, That Madam Alicia's Reign was very near
an end, when not only she, but all her Creatures,
would be brought to answer their illegal Pra-
ctices.

Golofre being remov'd into a more wholsome
Apartment, began to mend apace; and the Lady
of the SUN hearing by her Spies of the Goaler's
sudden Kindness to the unfortunate Prisoner, sent
him a severe Reprimand, letting him know, that
since he had remov'd him from a place that
would have dispatch'd him to their hands, she
expected he would now take care himself to send
him to another World. In these Streights, on
both sides, the Goaler knew not what to do; but
consulting with his Wife, (a notable Baggage,
and one who had taken some liking to Golofre)
she advis'd him to send to Alicia, that he should
be dispatch'd the next Night, and at the same
time to convey him away to some place out of
Town till the King was dead, which was hourly
expected.

Tho' this News was agreeable to Alicia, it
stuck Matilda to the Heart, who was just expi-
ring with the News: When her new Lover came
and found her in that condition, he was extream-
ly surpriz'd at an Account of the Cause, and go-

ing

The English Female Favourite.107

ing to the Goaler, assur'd him of a severe Punish-
ment as soon as the King was departed, who
could not hold out a day longer. The Goaler at
last taking him aside, under the assurance of Se-
crecy, told him what he had done, and where he
might find him. He comes back to Matilda with
this good News, which immediately reviv'd her,
and made her desire that he would take her out
with him, and convey her to her Husband, since
by his Authority she might go out, tho' not
without it; and, that it was now a proper time,
Alicia being confin'd to the King's Chamber, he
being now on his Death-bed.

The Gallant, who could deny her nothing,
comply'd with her Desires, and convey'd her to
her Dear Golofre, delivering her into his Arms,
with an assurance of all the Service in his power
at any time. The Gallant being gone, Matilda
and her Husband resolv'd that moment to retire
far from the Court, and to live on that pretty
Fortune he had, where neither Lust nor Ambi-
tion should ever interfere with their Love.

In the mean time it was now the turn of the
Lady of the SUN to grieve for the King, there
were manifest Tokens of Death, yet did she still
flatter him with Hopes of Life, so that he neglect-
ed making that Provision for his Soul which a
dying Christian should, till he was taken quite
speechless: Mean while the Lady of the SUN took
care to make use of her Time, purloining away
the most valuable things in the Palace, stealing
the very Rings off his Fingers as he lay expiring,
and then, like a true Harlot and Favourite, left
him gasping for Life, not capable of speaking a

Word.

108The Golden Spy.

Word, and with only one poor simple Fryar in
the Room.

The old King being dead, and the young
one proclaim'd, as there were many about him
who wish'd for their share of the Plunder of the
Lady of the SUN, either by Bribes or Grants, so
they let her not long continue unmolested,
bringing a Process against her: Yet she on her
side had so well imploy'd her time, that with
her Money she had corrupted many of the
Lords, and all the Lawyers of England, who did
not only secretly sollicite her Affair, but pub-
lickly pleaded her Cause, and us'd all their In-
terest in her behalf: Yet she was so much and
generally hated for her rapacious Avarice, that
the was so vigorously prosecuted by the Parlia-
ment, being by her own Mouth convicted, that
the was banifh'd the Land, and all her Estate,
movable or immovable, forfeited to the Ex-
chequer, from whence (by the late King's Fa-
vour, or rather Dotage) it had been unduly
taken.

On her departure she gave the Ring, in
which I then was, to Michael de la Poole, in
hopes that if he arriv'd at the good Fortune
that had been foretold him, he might do her
some Service as to recalling her into her own
Country, from a Banishment she abhorr'd;
but he, like a true Courtier, before he was so,
soon forgot her; nay, made it his business to
joyn with all that rail'd against her.

I hope, by what I have told you (said my
Guinea) of the Lady of the SUN, I've been equal

with

The English Female Favourite.109

with the Seignior and Monfieur; but what is to
come shews my Power more than any Instance
they have produc'd; it was in the next Reign
after my Lady Alicia's dominion that this Ex-
periment was made.

The Grandson, yet a Child, succeeded Ed-
ward III, and tho' he reign'd 22 Years, yet
without the Glory of his Grandfather, he had
all the Dotage of his Age; for never Prince had
more Favourites, and those more unworthy of
his favour, and whose cursed Advice at last
brought him to an ignominious End in a pri-
vate state. E're yet he was of age, this Michael
de la Poole, made Earl of Suffolk, Robert de Vere
Duke of Ireland, with an Archbishop of York,
had led him so astray, that the Parliament did
threaten to depose him if he would not surren-
der those Misguiders of his Youth, and come
to them; which being oblig'd to do, his Fa-
vourites fled: De la Poole, before he was set at
liberty by the King, to make a second Escape
after he was taken at Calice, gave me to the
King, as a Token to remember him, assuring
him I once belong'd to the finest Lady in the
World; and that as he believ'd he should ne-
ver see His Majesty more, so, as his last Advice,
he recommended the E. of Nottingham to him
for a Man of Judgment, and one who could put
him in a good way of managing the Parliameant,
who had hitherto been such a Curb to his In-
clinations.

The King took his Advice, and being now
One-and-twenty Years of age, assum'd the Go-
vernment himself, and by the Advice of Scroop

Earl

110The Golden Spy.

Earl of Wiltshire and the Earl of Nottingham,
made many alterations. And the time of Par-
liament coming on, he advis'd with his new
Favourite Nottingham how to order that point.
My Leige, (said my Lord Nottingham) some of
our Princes have taken very wrong Measures for the
Ends they have aim'd at; they have taken it with
Disdain, that they could not do what they pleas'd
without being accountable to any among Men; and
have on those Notions grown so unpopular, that if
they have not lost their Crowns, they have conside-
rably shaken 'em, and had a Reign perpetually di-
sturb'd with Tumults and War; whereas if they had
but consider'd matters justly, they might have been
much more absolute, and much more secure in all their
Arbitrary Proceedings, if they had but studied the
Art of bribing the Members of Parliament. Your
Majesty has a great number of Places in your Gift,
which ought to he distributed among the leading and
active Members of your House of Commons, to others
you must give Pensions, which will never be a Far-
thing out of your Pocket, for they will not scruple to
give Taxes, so long as by your Gifts they have an
Encrease and Interest for their Money: Nor will
they be over-nice in examining into Accounts, when
their own Receipts must be found amongst 'em. By
these two Articles you engage another numerous
Party of Gentlemen, who are in hopes of the same
Advantage, and these will go a greater length than
those already in Pay, since they will persuade them-
selves, that the more they do to merit a Reward,
the greater the Pension or Place will be. When this
Method is fix'd, you need advance but one or two in
a Session, and you carry all before you; all your

Actions

The English Female Favourite.111

Ations are stamp'd with Jure Divino, and you can
do nothing that can be found fault with, since you
have then the whole Power of the Nation to back
you.

The King seem'd well pleas'd with the Ad-
vice, and resolv'd to put it in execution. The
time for Election coming on, his Agents went
to all the Boroughs, and spar'd no Bribes to get
Men fit for the turn, and capable of being ma-
nag'd by the Court; so about Lady-day the
Parliament meets, and care was taken to have
Sir John Bushy chosen Speaker, and Sir William
Maggat and Sir Henry Green were the chief Ma-
nagers of the Court Cause; Men who were
ignorant, covetous, and ambitious: Nor must
we leave out their Flattery, Sir John Bushy in
his Speeches not being contented to give the
King his due Titles of Honour, but such as
were fitter for the Majesty of the Almighty,
than for any Earthly Prince.

Such a Power had Gold and this Method
with the Parliament, that meeting in the be-
ginning of the Year 1398, at Shrewsbury, the
King, by the Interest he had made among 'em,
caus'd not only all the Proceedings of the Par-
liament in the tenth of his Reign (which were
great Asserters of Liberty) to be condemn'd
and annull'd, but even obtain'd a Concession
of 'em, That after the present Parliament
should break up, its whole Power should be
confer'd upon, and remain in certain Persons
by them particularly nam'd, or any seven or
eight of 'em, who by vertue of such Power

granted

112The Golden Spy.

granted did afterwards proceed to act and de-
termine many things concerning the publick
state of the Nation, properly the Business of a
Parliament.

Yet, in confidance of this Method, the Earl
of Nottingham lost his Country, and the King
himself his Crown; for there is such a Love of
Liberty fix'd in this Nation, that no Court yet
has been able to overthrow it; as most Courts
(except this present, where Patriots only pre-
vail) have made it their fruitless Endeavours
to do.

The Guinea perceiv'd by this time that I
grew sleepy, and therefore excusing himself
for the length of his Entertainment, after two
others had spent some Time in it, hop'd the
Variety of the Matter would make Amends
for the long tediousness of the Narration; and
so we all committed our selves to Silence.

The End of the Second Nights Entertainment.

THE

113